SSU prevents russian oligarchs from evading nationalization of their assets in Ukraine

The SSU has exposed attempts of sanctioned russian oligarchs Sergei Chemezov and Mikhail Shelkov to avoid nationalization of property owned by their former enterprises in Ukraine.

The companies in question are the Demurinskyi Mining and Processing Plant and the Invest Agro agricultural holding, which, following the SSU’s investigation, the High Anti-Corruption Court transferred to the ownership of Ukraine.

The SSU established that, after the court ruling, the former russian owners of these companies had tried to illegally ‘hide’:

  • over 100 of various types of vehicles;
  • 6 railcars with agricultural produce;
  • over 5,500 containers with ilmenite ore, which is used for titanium production;
  • almost 1,200 tons of fertilizers and other agricultural products.

The total value of the products is UAH 150 mln (USD 3.7 mln).

The attempt involved affiliated commercial entities that had previously been formally managing both Ukrainian companies.

In this way, Chemezov and Shelkov planned to transfer abroad a significant part of the property nationalized by Ukraine.

However, the SSU timely exposed and prevented the unlawful plans.

The investigation is underway to identify the persons involved in the scheme and bring them to justice.

The SSU Main Investigation Department prevented the offence under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.