"I didn’t receive any discounts": Deputy PM Chernyshov rejects NABU corruption allegations

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Unity Oleksiy Chernyshov has firmly denied allegations of bribery brought against him by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU).

"I believe the charges are baseless," he stated during a court hearing on June 27 at the High Anti-Corruption Court, where a motion for a preventive measure was under consideration.

According to Chernyshov, the allegations center around three issues: the transfer of a land plot for development, receiving a discount on an apartment purchase, and accepting a book as a gift from a developer.

"The core accusation is that the Ministry of Regional Development and a state enterprise allegedly transferred a land plot and lost it," Chernyshov said in court.

He clarified that the Ministry did not lose the plot, but rather returned it to state ownership after years of private construction, and subsequently transferred it to the state enterprise Ukrkomunobsluhovuvannia to implement a social housing project.

The plan was to build a residential complex on the site, part of which would house internally displaced persons. "We’re talking about 120 apartments, which could accommodate around 400 people," Chernyshov added.

"The land has not been lost by the state – and this is the key point I want to emphasize," he stressed.

The Deputy Prime Minister also rejected claims that he received personal benefits in the form of discounted apartments, as alleged by NABU.

"I have not received, am not receiving, and do not intend to receive any discounts. These apartments, these investment agreements – I have no personal interest in them. I don’t even know where the properties are located; I’ve never been there and have no plans to go," he said.

During a search of Chernyshov’s residence in May, investigators found a $1,000 edition of a book by Hryhorii Skovoroda, allegedly gifted by the developer. "Regarding the book – I did not receive it from anyone. I don’t know how it ended up in my home," he said.

"So the accusation is essentially about a discount and a book – that’s what the minister [allegedly] received and is being charged with," he remarked.

"There was no loss of land. There was no damage. I trust the court will be impartial," Chernyshov concluded.

• Chernyshov was formally notified of suspicion on June 23, 2025. The charges relate to his prior role as Minister for Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine.
• According to investigators, the minister facilitated the transfer of a land plot to a state-owned enterprise, which later signed investment agreements for its development. However, both the land and the buildings on it were reportedly appraised at nearly five times below market value.
• In return for executing the scheme, the developer allegedly provided officials with apartments at heavily discounted rates — between 1,000 and 8,000 UAH per square meter, compared to a market rate of around 30,000 UAH.
• The total alleged bribe amount is 16.8 million UAH, of which 14.5 million UAH was reportedly allocated to Chernyshov.