Pechersk District Court Ruling
The Pechersk District Court in Kyiv has ordered the release of assets belonging to former Member of Parliament Mykola Yankovskyi, following the closure of a criminal case against him. The case was terminated on January 23, 2026, due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Yankovskyi had been under suspicion for allegedly organizing a large-scale pharmaceutical production operation in the occupied city of Horlivka after 2015. His company, Stirolbiofarm, was accused of paying taxes into the budget of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DNR).
Investigations began in 2016, with formal charges against Yankovskyi and his associates announced in July 2024. Assets valued at over one billion hryvnias were seized, including apartments in central Kyiv, corporate shares, land plots, and cash. In a related move, the court returned property seized from the ex-lawmaker's wife during a 2025 raid on their estate in Kozyn.
Case Closure Due to Time Limits
A prosecutor formally closed the criminal proceedings on January 23, 2026, citing the statute of limitations. Yankovskyi's defense had argued that the investigation had exceeded a reasonable timeframe. Mykola Yankovskyi, who served as an MP for four terms and was an advisor to former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, left Ukraine before the full-scale invasion and currently resides in Cyprus.
The initial asset freeze was based on materials from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Police, which alleged he financed Russian occupation groups. The Office of the Prosecutor General published photos identifying the suspect as Mykola Yankovskyi. The seized assets included:
- apartments in central Kyiv,
- corporate rights,
- land plots,
- millions in cash.
The termination of the case against Mykola Yankovskyi highlights how Ukraine's legal system incorporates statutes of limitations, which can affect even serious charges related to financing terrorism and other grave crimes.
This situation underscores the complex legal challenges arising from the conflict in eastern Ukraine, particularly for businesses and political figures active during that period. The case illustrates the ongoing legal and political ramifications of the war for individuals accused of collaborating with Russian-backed forces.
In light of the recent ruling regarding Mykola Yankovskyi, it is worth noting the ongoing legal battles surrounding other high-profile figures in Ukraine. For instance, the court recently upheld an asset freeze on property associated with former President Yanukovych, reflecting the government's efforts to tackle corruption and recover assets linked to past administrations. To understand the broader implications of these judicial decisions, you can read more about the situation involving Yanukovych's properties here.