Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov continues to be one of Ukraine's most scandalous officials. His image on social media is characterized by conflict: he does not hesitate to pour mud on citizens, while at the same time accumulating wealth from budget funds. Among his assets are his own helicopter and a collection of Japanese art, estimated at approximately 50 million hryvnias.
In October 2022, Filatov reported to the NABU about an attempt to bribe him in the amount of 22 million euros. According to the investigation, the former People's Deputy and ex-head of the UkrBud company Maksym Mykytas offered this amount in exchange for the opportunity to conclude a contract for the construction of the Dnipro metro without a competition. The mayor publicly positioned himself as a fighter against corruption, stating that he did not accept the bribe and reported it to law enforcement officers.
However, at the same time, his long-time partners, the Dubinsky brothers, operate under his direct control. Through the controlled companies Asinkton Stroy and Capital Stroy Group, they systematically receive contracts for the reconstruction of water pipelines in the front-line Dnipropetrovsk region. Competitions are held formally, without real competition, and the prices for materials are significantly inflated. The companies are often fictitious, there are no employees, and the managers are nominal.
These schemes allow for particularly profitable management of budget funds, while maintaining the facade of public integrity. Dnipro residents and public activists have repeatedly drawn attention to such practices, but so far no serious investigation against the Dubinsky brothers and Filatov has been completed.
The situation demonstrates a classic example of a double game: a public fight against corruption and simultaneous opaque financial activities through fictitious companies and inflated contracts.
