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☆ Detained Ukraine tycoon Kolomoisky gives up control of 1+1 Media for five years
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Vladyslav Musiienko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 26 (Reuters) - Billionaire tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky who is in custody on suspicion of fraud has transferred control over 1+1 Media, one of Ukraine's largest media groups, to its general director for five years, the group said on Thursday. The decision was taken on Monday as Kolomoisky is currently unable to fully carry out his duties, the group said. But Russia's invasion has eaten into their influence, destroying industrial assets in the east and south, while the television channels they controlled have been broadcasting under a centralised signal since Moscow's February 2022 attack. Kolomoisky's media group owns the 1+1 television channel, which has been one of the most influential and viewed channels in Ukraine for decades. The group also inclusdes a number of other TV channels, media resources such as the UNIAN information agency and production units.

Persons: Ihor Kolomoisky, Vladyslav, Kolomoisky, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Yuliia Dysa, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, Soviet Union, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Soviet

☆ Ukraine not afraid to take on its oligarchs - justice minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Dan Peleschuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Ukraine’s Justice Minister Denys Maliuska attends an interview with Reuters in Kyiv, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, October 23, 2023. REUTERS/Ivan Lyubysh-Kirdey Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Ukrainian authorities feel newly empowered to prosecute the once-powerful tycoons known as "oligarchs" thanks to shifting political realities and the war with Russia, Kyiv's justice minister said. "Everyone was afraid of (the) consequences of indicting oligarchs, but this is no longer the case," he said. Ukraine had long struggled to shake off the influence of its shadowy tycoons, who used the huge industrial wealth they amassed after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union to gain political influence and power. A 2021 law aimed at curbing their political and economic influence also sent a clear signal, Maliuska said, and now oligarchs have become "quite accessible" to authorities.

Persons: Denys Maliuska, Ivan Lyubysh, Maliuska, Ihor Kolomoisky, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Dmytro Firtash, Vadym Novynskyi, Novynskyi, Dan Peleschuk, Tom Balmforth, Mark Potter Organizations: Ukraine’s, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Smart Holding, European Union, EU, National Security Council, Thomson Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, Soviet Union, United States, Ukrainian

"Unless Zelenskiy gets rid of Tatarov, he won't be seen as serious in purging the country of corruption," she told Reuters. "He knew about law enforcement and warned us to be careful about saying almost anything on the phone," Maiboroda told Reuters. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said experts would need to study the material to verify it. "The main thing is that a person is honest," Zelenskiy told reporters several days after Tatarov's appointment. Zelenskiy told Ukrainian television network ICTV in October 2021 that the offshore arrangement was to protect his TV production business from political pressure by the Yanukovych government.

Persons: Oleh Maiboroda, Maiboroda, Oleh Tatarov, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Tatarov, Maiboroda's, Ukraine's, Zelenskiy, Kyiv pollsters, Oleksii Reznikov, Reznikov, Daria Kaleniuk, Nicola Mirto, Mirto, Viktor Yanukovych, Yanukovich's, Maxym Mykytas, Mykytas, Maiborada, NABU, Yanukovych, –, General Iryna Venediktova, Artem Sytnyk, Sytnyk, didn't, Oleksiy Symonenko, Symonenko, Andriy Yermak, Yermak, Denys, Dmytro Shtanko, Liudmyla, Sergey Shefir, Shefir, Vyacheslav Shapovalov, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, Zheleznyak, Zelensky, Ihor, Kolomoisky, Semen Kryvonos, Kaleniuk, ”, Stephen Grey, Dan Peleschuk, Janet McBride Organizations: Reuters, Ukrbud, Prosecutors, Ukraine's, European Union, International Monetary Fund, Kyiv, Kyiv Independent, Tatarov, Ministry, Interior Ministry, Virgin Islands, ICTV, National Agency for, Ministry of Defence, Kiel Institute, NATO, Thomson Locations: VIENNA, KYIV, Vienna, Ukraine, Tatarov, Russia, Europe, European, Kyiv, Italian, Ukrainian, Soviet Ukraine, Zelenskiy's, Switzerland, Spain, Soviet, United States, Irpin

According to Maiboroda, Mykytas used Tatarov for difficult tasks, including bribe payments on behalf of Ukrbud Development. "He knew about law enforcement and warned us to be careful about saying almost anything on the phone," Maiboroda told Reuters. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said experts would need to study the material to verify it. "The main thing is that a person is honest," Zelenskiy told reporters several days after Tatarov's appointment. Zelenskiy told Ukrainian television network ICTV in October 2021 that the offshore arrangement was to protect his TV production business from political pressure by the Yanukovych government.

☆ Ukraine security agency confirms new allegations against magnate Kolomoisky
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian business tycoon and one of Ukraine's most prominent billionaires Ihor Kolomoisky appears at a court session about a preventive measure against him, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv September 2, 2023. REUTERS/Vladyslav Musiienko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Ukrainian business magnate Ihor Kolomoisky has been served with notice of a third set of allegations following his detention on suspicion of fraud and money laundering, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on Friday. Kolomoisky is suspected of having set up an organised group, which comprised employees of the bank, to obtain the funds from 2013 to 2014, it said. Reuters could not immediately reach Kolomoisky or his lawyers for comment on the new allegations. Zelenskiy is trying to root our corruption and restrict the influence of business magnates as Ukraine strives for membership of the European Union.

Persons: Ihor Kolomoisky, Vladyslav, Serhiy Leshchenko, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Kolomoisky, Zelenskiy, Anna Pruchnicka, Timothy Heritage, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Security Service of Ukraine, Ukraine's Economic Security Bureau, Reuters, Soviet Union, National, European Union, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Soviet, U.S, Kolomoisky, Ukrainian, PrivatBank

☆ New allegation against detained Ukrainian magnate Kolomoisky, official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ihor Kolomoisky, a Ukrainian business tycoon and one of Ukraine's most prominent billionaires, arrives at court in Kyiv, September 2, 2023. REUTERS/Vladyslav Musiienko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 14 (Reuters) - Detained Ukrainian business magnate Ihor Kolomoisky, already facing fraud charges, has been served with notice of a third set of allegations, a Ukrainian official said on Thursday. Leshchenko said the new allegations resulted from an investigation by Ukraine's Bureau of Economic Security. They included forging documents, illegal takeovers of property by an organised group and property acquisition in questionable circumstances. Kolomoisky is among the tycoons who built their fortunes in the ashes of the Soviet Union and amassed political power in Ukraine's fragile democracy.

Persons: Ihor, Vladyslav, Ihor Kolomoisky, Serhiy Leshchenko, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Kolomoisky, Leshchenko, Ron Popeski, Nick Starkov, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Ukraine's Bureau of Economic Security, of Economic Security, National, European Union, Soviet Union, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Kyiv, Privatbank, Ukraine, PrivatBank, Soviet, U.S

☆ Ukraine freezes $80 million of tycoon Kolomoisky's assets, media report
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FILE PHOTO-Ukrainian business tycoon and one of Ukraine's most prominent billionaires Ihor Kolomoisky arrives at court, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv September 2, 2023. REUTERS/Vladyslav Musiienko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies on Friday froze more than $80 million in assets belonging to tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky for 48 hours as part of an embezzlement investigation, Ukrainian media outlets reported. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said it had frozen more than 3 billion hryvnia in assets in addition to nearly 1,000 properties and more than 1,600 vehicles and vessels from the former owner of lender PrivatBank. Kolomoisky is a former owner of PrivatBank, which was nationalised in late 2016 as part of a clean-up of the Ukrainian banking system. Ukrainian officials have also said that "de-oligarchisation" is an important step to building a stronger state after the war with Russia.

Persons: Ihor Kolomoisky, Vladyslav, Kolomoisky, NABU, Yuliia Dysa, Dan Peleschuk, Tom Balmforth, Timothy Heritage, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Soviet Union, European Union, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Soviet, Russia

CNN —One of Ukraine’s most powerful oligarchs has been arrested in a fraud investigation, state media in the country are reporting. A Kyiv court on Saturday ordered Ihor Kolomoisky, a key supporter of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s 2019 presidential campaign, to 60 days in pre-trial detention while authorities investigate fraud charges against him, reported Ukrinform. Kolomoisky’s media and banking businesses have made him one of the richest men in Ukraine. Video and photos showed Kolomoisky being led away from the district court in Kyiv. Earlier this year Zelensky fired a slew of senior Ukrainian officials over a corruption scandal linked to the procurement of war-time supplies.

Persons: Ihor Kolomoisky, Volodymyr Zelensky’s, Kolomoisky, Ukrinform, –, ”, Vasyl Maliuk, Zelensky, Arsen Avakov, Avakov Organizations: CNN, US State Department, State Department, Security Service of Ukraine, of Economic Security, General’s, Kolomoisky, “ Locations: Ukraine, Shevchenkivskyi, Kyiv, Europe, Russia

☆ Ukraine arrested the oligarch who owns the TV station that aired Volodymyr Zelenskyy's show before he became president
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine has detained Ihor Kolomoisky, a prominent oligarch, as part of an anti-corruption drive. Kolomoisky owns the TV station that showed Volodymyr Zelenskyy's "Servant of the People." The country's security service said on its Telegram channel that oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky would be held in custody for two months on fraud and money laundering charges. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky appeared in court on Saturday. Kolomoisky owns the TV station 1+1 that broadcast "Servant of the People," in which Zelenskyy played a comedian who becomes president.

Persons: Ihor Kolomoisky, Kolomoisky, Volodymyr Zelenskyy's, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Forbes, Vladyslav Musiienko, Reuters Zelensky, Zelenskyy, they'd, oligarch, Petro Poroshenko Organizations: Reuters, BBC News, Kyiv International Institute of Sociology Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Kolomoisky

CNN —Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has fired his defense minister, citing the need for “new approaches” as the war with Russia enters its 19th month. “This week, parliament will be asked to make a personnel decision … I have decided to replace the minister of defense of Ukraine. The president nominated Rustem Umerov, the former people’s deputy of Ukraine, to become the new defense minister. “The Verkhovna Rada (legislature) of Ukraine knows this person well, and Mr. Umerov does not need any additional introductions,” Zelensky said. Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov at Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 10, 2023.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, …, Oleksii Reznikov, ” Zelensky, Rustem Umerov, Umerov, “, ” Reznikov, Zelensky, Yurii, Reznikov, Ihor Kolomoisky Organizations: CNN, Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian Defense, NATO, European Union, Transparency International Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Europe, Brussels

☆ Ukraine names powerful businessman Kolomoisky suspect in fraud probe - SBU
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Ukrainian business tycoon and one of Ukraine's most prominent billionaires Ihor Kolomoisky speaks with Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Prosecutor General's Office officers at an unknown location, in this picture released on September 2, 2023. Security Service of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Ukrainian state security officials named powerful businessman Ihor Kolomoisky as a suspect in a fraud and money laundering case, the SBU security service said on Saturday. The security service published pictures of a group of detectives at the door of his home, with Kolomoisky receiving and signing documents. The United States sanctioned Kolomoisky in 2021 "due to his involvement in significant corruption". U.S. authorities have also alleged Kolomoiskiy and a business partner laundered stolen funds through the United States.

Persons: Ihor Kolomoisky, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Kolomoisky, laundered, Kolomoiskiy, Olena, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Service of Ukraine, General's, Security Service, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Russia's, United, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Handout, United States

[1/3] Ukrainian business tycoon and one of Ukraine's most prominent billionaires Ihor Kolomoisky speaks with Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Prosecutor General's Office officers at an unknown location, in this picture released on September 2, 2023. Security Service of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Ukraine's main security agency accused tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky of fraud and money laundering on Saturday, naming one of the country's most prominent businessmen a suspect in a criminal investigation. "It was established that during 2013-2020, Ihor Kolomoisky legalized more than half a billion hryvnias ($14 million) by withdrawing them abroad and using the infrastructure of banks under (his) control," the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said in a statement. CRACKDOWN ON CORRUPTIONDuring the war, Zelenskiy has been keen to stress Ukraine's crackdown on corruption as Kyiv has applied to join the European Union. U.S. authorities have also alleged Kolomoisky and a business partner laundered stolen funds through the United States.

Persons: Ihor Kolomoisky, Ihor, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Kolomoisky, Zelenskiy, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, Iryna Gerashchenko, laundered, Olena, Tomasz Janowski, Frances Kerry Organizations: Service of Ukraine, General's, Security Service, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Kolomoisky, Security Service of Ukraine, European Union, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Handout, Kyiv, Soviet Union, United States

☆ Fact Check-Photo altered to depict Ukraine’s Kolomoisky wearing ‘Jewish-Banderite’ t-shirt
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A digitally altered photo of Ukrainian billionaire businessman Ihor Kolomoisky, in which a graphic on his t-shirt appears to combine Jewish and Ukrainian symbols alongside the phrase “Zhydobandera” (“Jewish-Banderite”), is circulating online. In the original photo, the former governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region is wearing a plain black shirt. Can your scepticism survive smiling oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky in his "Zhido-Bandera" ("Jewish-Banderite") t-shirt?” a user of X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, wrote on July 17 when sharing the edited image (here ). The unedited photo shows a black t-shirt without any text or symbols. The image showing Kolomoisky dates to at least 2012 and the unedited version features him wearing a plain black t-shirt.

Persons: Ihor Kolomoisky, ”, Dmitriy Chekalkin, Chekalkin, Read Organizations: Twitter, Facebook, Reuters Locations: Dnipropetrovsk, Bandera, Ukrainian

☆ Ukraine banks’ robust health masks big challenges
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Pierre Briancon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Across the banking sector, deposits are as abundant as they’ve ever been, and the country’s lenders have found ways to remain profitable. The National Bank of Ukraine, the country’s central bank, deserves plaudits for both its preparations before the war and after it began. NPLs crept up to 38% of total sector loans as of January 1 this year, according to the central bank. It has the equivalent of $4.8 billion in non-performing loans, a staggering 67.5% of its loan portfolio, according to central bank numbers. The fact that Ukraine’s banks not only still exist but are thriving is an achievement in itself.

KYIV, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Ukraine said on Monday it had invoked wartime laws to take control of stakes in a top engine-maker and four other strategic companies from some of the country's richest men. The companies included engine maker Motor Sich, energy companies Ukrnafta and Ukrtatnafta, vehicle maker AvtoKrAZ and transformer maker Zaporizhtransformator. The decision was announced at a joint news conference of Danilov, Reznikov and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, an unusually high-profile panel that signalled the sensitivity of the move. The officials did not elaborate on the size of the stakes that had been taken over,Asked if other companies' shares could be taken over, Reznikov declined to comment after the news conference. At the news conference, Danilov answered: "It depends how much influence they have on the state of our country".

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