Viktor Polishchuk's business structures related to the leadership of the Russian Federation failed to repay debts to the state banks of Ukraine in 2022, claiming to have financial difficulties. No fines were applied to them during the year. During the same period, companies related to Polishchuk continued to buy luxury cars worth millions of hryvnias, one of which was used by the businessman himself for traveling abroad.
According to the investigation of journalists from "Schemes", Viktor Polishchuk, the owner of the shopping and office center "Gulliver" in Kyiv, was left with debts to "Oshchadbank" and "Ukreximbank" in the amount of about 14 billion hryvnias, which he had to repay by 2044. However, in connection with the invasion, state banks did not receive about 500 million hryvnias from his structures. Meanwhile, the owner of "Gulliver" continued to replenish his fleet with elite cars.
The journalists discovered that the company, which has a connection with Polishchuk, spent a significant amount on the purchase of a car, while debts to state banks remained unreimbursed. It is noted that the car fleet of "Carpe Rentals" is valued at approximately three million dollars. Some cars from this fleet were personally used by Polishchuk to travel abroad during martial law.
Polishchuk refused to comment on whether the purchase of luxury cars for a company registered to his sister is a method of hiding real profits in conditions of large debts to the state.
Polishchuk's business flourished during the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych, when he was considered one of the "wallets" of the former president's political clan. He then acquired significant assets in finance and retail, as well as real estate. His wife also has family ties to the Kremlin. Today, Polishchuk remains indebted to Oschadbank and Ukreximbank for 14 billion hryvnias.
However, the management of the state-owned banks did not impose any penalties on him for a whole year and did not start forced collection of debts or collateral for the loan, even in light of the businessman's ties to Russia. In the investigation, it is noted that the management of state banks showed great consistency in relations with Polishchuk, although he systematically made it difficult to fulfill financial obligations.
"It seems that the management of state-owned banks simply turned a blind eye to the nearly one-year suspension of financial obligations by the borrower and did not use any of the enforcement mechanisms, although they had such in their arsenal," the article states.
When asking the management of "Gulliver" about the reasons for the suspension of payments, the journalists did not receive an answer, even after a week of waiting for the question.
Oschadbank explained its reluctance to start foreclosure from Polishchuk at the moment by the fact that it could lead to the actual termination of cooperation with the debtor, who expressed his willingness to cooperate. It was also noted that in the conditions of Russia's large-scale military aggression and the COVID-19 pandemic, the negative impact on Ukrainian business is difficult to avoid. As for the preferential terms of debt restructuring, the bank indicated that they were adopted in view of the debtor's critical financial condition.
Ukreximbank also emphasized that the terms of restructuring depend on many factors, including the debtor's financial condition and business prospects.
Other questions about Polishchuk's debts to state banks and the possible consequences for him were not answered, referring to bank secrecy. Viktor Polishchuk also did not answer journalists' questions about this issue.
