Based on the SSU’s investigation, the court seized assets of the russian businessman Nikolai Serdyuk, who is involved in financing armed aggression against Ukraine.

The court’s decision concerns six companies engaged in research and production of drilling equipment as well as agricultural production in Kyiv and Sumy regions.

The total value of the seized assets is UAH 60 mln (USD 1.5 mln).

It has been established that Serdyuk is the owner of ‘moscow research plant of drilling equipment’ and ‘Hidroinzhbud’ and is close to the heads of the kremlin’s financial and industrial groups.

On Serdyuk’s instructions, the Ukrainian companies under his control produced and sold abroad high-tech products for drilling oil and gas wells.

The russian businessman directed a significant part of the profits to finance russian research and testing grounds, in particular, the training centers for testing combat aircraft and missile weapons.

To hide the business in Ukraine after the full-scale invasion, Serdyuk tried to re-register his companies to nine representatives of controlled commercial entities.

The businessman also set up two new companies in Sumy oblast, Ukraine, and in the EU to withdraw his profits out of Ukraine.

However, the SSU exposed these attempts and blocked them.

During the searches of the suspects’ offices, production facilities, warehouses and homes in Kyiv and Sumy, the SSU found:

• accounting records,
• draft records,
• mobile phones and computer equipment with evidence of the unlawful activity.

Criminal proceeding was initiated under the Article 110-2.2 of the CCU (financing of actions committed with the aim of forceful change or overthrow of constitutional order or seizure of state power). Investigators are preparing a notice of suspicion for Serdyuk and heads of Ukrainian companies under his control.

The decision is pending on transfer of the seized property to the National Agency of Ukraine for Detection, Tracing and Management of Assets Derived from Corruption and other Crimes (ARMA).

The investigation is ongoing.

The SSU Office in Sumy region carried out the operation and investigative activities under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.