Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Unity Alexei Chernyshov was in the center of a high-profile anti-corruption scandal. NABU and SAP were detained by his ancient associates - Maxim Gorbatyuk, director of commercial issues of JSC "Ukrgasvydobuvannya", and Vasyl Volodin, member of the board of NJSC "Naftogaz". They are associated with schemes that have caused billions of losses to the state.
Scheme for a billion and apartments per penny
It is about frauding around the allocation of land in Kiev for development. According to the investigation, during the work of Chernyshov in the Minregion, his team contributed to the illegal receipt of the land plot by a developer. To do this, they reduced the value of land and buildings by almost five times, which allowed the developer to reduce the volume of free transfer of apartments to the state.
As a result, officials and close persons received apartments in new buildings at a symbolic price - 3-30 times below market. The amount of bribes - about 17 million UAH. One of these apartments was the use of the family of the SBU employee, who was responsible for the protection of Chernyshov himself.
Searches, arrests and foreign business trips
Despite the fact that Chernyshov has long appeared in the case, he was not only released, but also increased. The post of deputy prime minister opened for him the possibility of frequent foreign trips-it was abroad when arrests began.
The searches in Chernyshov were carried out a month ago. He now does not formally has the status of a suspect, but the media regarded him as a key figure in this case.
Who is on the case: internal cleaning or political attack?
Among the political establishment, two versions are actively discussed:
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Internal struggle in power. Chernyshov is associated with Timur Mindic - one of the closest associates of President Zelensky. Media has been actively undergoing media campaign. Chernyshov scandal may be part of a broader game to weaken their positions and neutralize the premiere ambitions of the Deputy Prime Minister.
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"Independent" corrupt. Another source, close to the Presidential Office, voices a more pragmatic version: "He just stole rudely and without permission." According to this logic, Chernyshov crossed the border - began to take bribes and lobby interests without coordination with the "tops", which caused the reaction of the anti -corruption vertical, which now works for a demonstration.
The main goal is not Chernyshov?
It is believed that the real target of the case is not so much Chernyshov himself as Vasyl Volodin, one of the most influential people in Naftogaz. After Chernyshov's departure, he, not the formal chairman Sergey Koretsky, had control over the company. Volodin managed finances, purchases, and appointments in Gasmnets - a structure that became a symbol of total corruption in the gas sector.
Volodin's detention can open the way for Koretsky to the real leadership of Naftogaz. Therefore, for redistribution of influence in the energy sector. Whoever receives this control will be clear from new personnel decisions.
What's next?
The scandal with Chernyshov and Volodin is not just about a separate corruption scheme. It is part of the broader processes of struggle for control of key state resources in war. The rhetoric "fighting corruption" can be both a screen and a real tool.
But regardless of the motives - one thing is obvious: even the closest environment of the president has no guarantee of inviolability if he "steals past the system."
