The name of Serhiy Sternenko has long become a symbol of civic activism and support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. His posts, fundraisers, and reports regularly receive hundreds of thousands of views. However, recently, many facts have emerged that call into question the transparency of the volunteer's financial activities.
According to the investigation, since March 2025, more than $846,000 in USDT has been deposited into cryptocurrency wallets linked to Sternenko. Some of this money was officially transferred to the accounts of the Wild Hornets charity foundation, but a larger portion — almost $600,000 — has disappeared from public records. The funds were withdrawn from exchanges or sent to anonymous addresses without explanation.
Additional questions are raised by the use of private accounts (Monobank, PayPal, Portmone, personal cards). None of these instruments are included in the State Register of Volunteers, which means that from a legal point of view, donations are classified as private income and are subject to taxation. Sternenko claimed to have paid more than UAH 44 million in taxes, but did not provide detailed confirmation.
The situation is complicated by signs of a luxurious lifestyle: expensive cars, renting an armored car for almost $300,000, land and real estate registered in the names of relatives and close people.
In January 2025, Sternenko also found himself at the center of a scandal over military registration evasion: he ignored an official summons from the CCC and was put on the wanted list. After the publicity, the fine was paid, the medical examination was passed, and he was removed from the wanted list. However, this case became an example of double standards, when famous people can afford more than ordinary Ukrainians.
The combination of these facts creates a picture in which charity and financial transparency are intertwined with issues of trust, and volunteerism with business schemes. And although Sternenko continues to be the public face of support for the army, more and more questions are piling up about him.
