26.07.2024 Corruption Fortification Investigations Kharkiv Money laundering Reconstruction of Ukraine

How OPZZh Took Over Kharkiv and Is Embezzling the Reconstruction and Defense Budget

While the Ukrainian people suffer from the pain, despair, and devastation of war, parasitic corrupt officials see it as a golden opportunity to profit from embezzling budget funds and international aid allocated for weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, citizen support, and the country’s reconstruction.

The real overseer of the Kharkiv region, former MP from OPZZh and now from “Restoration of Ukraine,” Ihor Abramovych, continues to sunbathe on the beaches of Nice while his hometown is destroyed by Russian airstrikes and plundered by his inner circle.

It is challenging to find information about Abramovych online. Apart from a brief description of his political career and a few flattering quotes, the articles fail to reveal the true nature of this man. Therefore, we suggest a more detailed exploration of Abramovych’s role in seizing power in Kharkiv.

Friendship with the Mayor, MPs, and Businessmen: The Secrets of Abramovych’s Success

“Ihor (Abramovych) always stood out as a ‘white crow’ in the OPZZh faction—someone who had a clear pro-Ukrainian position, unlike most of his colleagues. A genuinely pro-Ukrainian position, without any hints of compromising the national interests of the country,” said Kharkiv Mayor Terekhov, describing his friendship with the ex-MP.

“He (Abramovych) immediately set out to help Kharkiv, a city he has always been a patriot of. The humanitarian aid he sent to his hometown can be measured in dozens of tons. Every day he would call and ask, ‘What else is needed?’ And he found what was needed, even if it was impossible to find, and sent it to Kharkiv, to his fellow citizens,”  Terekhov said about Abramovych’s aid to his hometown.

The mayor also noted that Abramovych is his friend and that he always supports his decisions. Given the corruption in Kharkiv, it becomes clear that Terekhov’s words about his relationship with the politician are entirely true. But why doesn’t the mayor talk about the embezzlement schemes created by the OPZZh member? Perhaps because he himself is actively involved in their implementation.

Support for Abramovych has also been repeatedly demonstrated by the head of the “Servant of the People” faction, Davyd Arakhamia.

“Ihor, with his pro-Ukrainian stance, never associated with me the ideology of OPZZh… a friend among foes in the rear of the fifth column.” This statement by Arakhamia was a typical, clumsy attempt to whitewash those who, for years, brought war to our country with their policies and fled abroad before the invasion. Arakhamia continues to lobby for Abramovych’s policies in Kyiv offices and cover up billion-dollar frauds, including those related to fortification construction, which led to the loss of frontline settlements in Kharkiv. There is also a version that Arakhamia himself receives significant kickbacks if he is willing to deliver rewards from Abramovych to high-ranking offices.

Ihor Abramovych is also connected with several other businessmen and politicians with Russian roots. He was an assistant to former MP Feldman and remains a partner of Khomutynnyk, with whom he shares LLC “Ukrgazinvest.”

During his time in power, Abramovych managed to place people close to him in key positions. His father-in-law, Semen Syrota, is a former deputy mayor of Kharkiv and a deputy of the Kharkiv City Council from the Kernes Bloc. Syrota is a figure in criminal cases, such as the embezzlement of 5 million UAH during the purchase of five cars for the KP “Kharkiv Repair and Construction Enterprise.” Incidentally, the former deputy was acquitted in the last case after eight years of investigation. Could this be due to Abramovych’s influence?

Syrota was also suspected of misappropriating 600 million UAH in city council tenders awarded to companies close to him.

Abramovych also placed his people in the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration. He, along with Roman Yarovy, lobbied for the appointment of Oleh Syniehubov as head. Mykhailo Kharnam, Syniehubov’s deputy, is also an appointee of the OPZZh member. We have previously written about how Kharnam became the “scapegoat” and now has to answer for the embezzlement in fortifications.

Another figure in Abramovych’s circle who tried to get involved in Kharkiv’s budget processes is Dmytro Palchonkov, the husband of the OPZZh member’s sister and a city council deputy from the “Servant of the People.” He created LLC “Palmaz Group” using the first letters of his surname specifically to launder the budget through multi-million-dollar tenders for reconstruction. In 2022 alone, the company received over 90 million UAH from the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration and its departments for capital repair work. Yet, no work has been done, and the funds received by “Palmaz Group” were simply withdrawn and legalized through a series of controlled and affiliated enterprises.

Due to our initiative, several law enforcement agencies launched pre-trial investigations into the criminal conspiracy to seize budget funds involving “Palmaz Group.” Specifically:

  • The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office entered the information into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations under No. 42023220000000040 under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
  • The Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine under No. 42022222130000165 under Part 1 of Article 364, Parts 4 and 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
  • The Territorial Department of the State Bureau of Investigations in Poltava under No. 62023170020000282 under Part 1 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

However, thanks to Abramovych’s influence and his connections with Arakhamia, the investigation is still stalled. While some defend the country, others, along with top officials and law enforcement, are exporting the last resources?

One can also recall the history of key objects in Kharkiv, such as the Central Park of Culture and Recreation, the Palace of Sports, the Ukraine Cinema and Concert Hall, and others. Each of them has now passed into the hands of “SPILNA INVEST Asset Management Company,” whose traces again lead to Abramovych. More on how millions of budget funds are funneled monthly into OPZZh’s accounts in the video.

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