Ukraine’s deputy PM accused in major bribery case

On Monday, June 23, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Unity Oleksiy Chernyshov was formally notified of suspicion of bribery after appearing at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). The information was confirmed by the press services of NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).

"I had a constructive dialogue with NABU detectives that lasted more than two hours. I am grateful for their professional and respectful conduct. I assured them that this attitude is mutual and reaffirmed my full willingness to cooperate within the legal framework. I am currently reviewing all the documents provided," Chernyshov commented following his visit.

Chernyshov is accused of involvement in a corrupt land scheme during his tenure as Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine.

The charges against him fall under Part 2 of Article 15, Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 364 (attempted abuse of power committed by prior conspiracy), and Part 4 of Article 368 (accepting a bribe) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

According to investigators, Chernyshov facilitated the transfer of a land plot to a state-owned enterprise, which later signed investment agreements for its development. The land and buildings were allegedly undervalued at nearly five times below market rates.

In return, the developer is believed to have provided apartments to officials at heavily discounted prices — between UAH 1,000 and 8,000 per square meter, compared to a market price of UAH 30,000.

The total value of the bribes is estimated at UAH 16.8 million (approximately $410,000), of which Chernyshov allegedly received UAH 14.5 million.

Two close associates of Chernyshov were also previously named as suspects: Maksym Horbatiuk, his former pro bono advisor and later commercial director of a Naftogaz subsidiary; and Vasyl Volodin, former State Secretary of the Ministry for Regional Development and current member of the Naftogaz Supervisory Board.

The central figure in the scheme is Serhiy Kopystyra, a developer (KSM Group). He was arrested, with bail set at UAH 100 million.

Horbatiuk and Volodin were also detained, with bail set at UAH 20 million and UAH 25 million, respectively.

• Chernyshov began his political career in 2019, when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed him head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration. Less than six months later, he was named Minister for Communities and Territories Development. In 2022, he became CEO of Naftogaz of Ukraine, and in December 2024, returned to the Cabinet as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Unity.