During the war, when every penny of the city's budget must be spent with maximum efficiency, the capital's officials once again found themselves at the center of a scandal. Journalists found out that more than two dozen employees in 2023-2024 visited foreign "business trips" to resort countries such as Spain, Portugal, Egypt and Brazil.
Special attention was drawn this time by the head of the Cultural Heritage Protection Department of the KMDA, Maryna Solovyova. As it became known, from September 23 to 29, 2024, she was in Spain, officially to participate in the 17th Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) in Córdoba.
The department confirmed that Solovyova had two business trips: to Germany and Spain. At the same time, specific dates and costs are not given in the officials' response. According to information on the congress website, the event lasted four days - from September 24 to 27. However, the official arrived in Spain a day earlier, and left the country only on the 29th.
According to calculations based on the cost of accommodation in recommended hotels and flight prices, the minimum budget for such a trip is from 75 to 100 thousand hryvnias. Although the amount seems insignificant for the budget of the capital, questions arise regarding its expediency. For example, these funds could be used to provide military drones or other equipment.
Solovyova has rich professional experience: from working as an engineer to practicing law and participating in public initiatives. However, her official career began recently - in September 2023, she was appointed to the position of director of the Department of Cultural Heritage Protection of the KMDA.
It is interesting that Solovyova declares a rather modest income, but at the same time owns three apartments in Kyiv, a plot of land and a significant amount of cash - 90 thousand dollars.
The team of journalists officially appealed to NABU, SBU, SBU and other bodies with a call to verify the facts of officials' foreign trips. The SBI has already started an investigation into this fact.
The scandal surrounding Maryna Solovyova only emphasizes the problem of unjustified expenses from the city budget for business trips during the war. Time will tell whether the officials will be held accountable for misuse of funds. Meanwhile, the public is closely following the progress of the investigation.
