U.S. and Israeli Operations Against Iran
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel announced the start of operations 'Epic Fury' and 'Lion's Roar' against Iran. Tehran retaliated with missile strikes on Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain. Amid these events, a number of Ukrainian politicians, former officials, and entertainment figures are present in Middle Eastern countries such as Israel, the UAE, and Cyprus. Among them are individuals facing criminal charges, as well as those who own significant real estate in Dubai. This unfolding conflict has placed these individuals in a precarious situation far from home.
The Situation with Ukrainian Politicians
- MP Vadym Rabynovych left Ukraine and flew to Israel two weeks before the war began on February 24, 2022. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stripped him of his Ukrainian citizenship, and in 2023, the State Bureau of Investigation charged Rabynovych with treason. It is notable that Rabynovych has held Israeli citizenship since the 1990s.
- Another MP, Fedir Khrystenko, was in the UAE, where in 2025 the Security Service of Ukraine charged him with treason and abuse of influence. On September 6, 2025, Khrystenko was detained following his transfer from the UAE.
- MP Serhiy Shakhov left Ukraine in December 2022 and also lives in the UAE. In 2021, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office notified Shakhov of suspicion for false asset declaration. In 2023, the High Anti-Corruption Court declared him wanted. Shakhov resides in a nearly 300-square-meter apartment in Dubai, with an estimated annual rent of around $100,000.
- Former MPs Natalia Korolevska and Yuriy Solod settled in Dubai, purchasing real estate worth over $10 million. In May 2024, more than 70 media organizations published an investigation titled 'Dubai Unlocked,' which highlighted the situation of Ukrainian officials in the UAE.
- Former MP Vyacheslav Bohuslayev, who is under arrest on suspicion of treason, together with his son purchased at least 19 real estate properties in Dubai between 2009 and 2018 for a total of over $15 million.
- Former Minister Mykola Zlochevsky owns two apartments in Dubai with a total value of approximately $11 million.
- Former MP Vasyl Hrytsak owns two apartments in Dubai worth over $700,000. The total value of identified assets belonging to the families of former officials in Dubai reaches about $30 million.
Among the entertainment figures in the region, TV presenter Vasylisa Frolova has lived in the UAE since January 2022. Singer MamaRika (Anastasiia Sereda) was vacationing in the UAE during the attacks, stating:
“I brought the children here to rest from the explosions, but they caught up with us here... We are okay, thank you for your concern.”
Another singer, Santa Dimopoulos, noted that
“for me, Dubai was always about absolute safety. A feeling that everything is under control. And yesterday that illusion was shattered.”
Svitlana Loboda, who was also in Dubai during the air attack, shared her impressions: 'Dubai. Underground parking. Fun.' Blogger Anna Alkhim (Buriachenko) lives in Dubai, where three criminal cases, including for treason, were opened against her in May 2025. She remarked: 'People are afraid, people don't understand what is happening. People should not get used to war... The world has gone mad.'
Iran's Attack on Cyprus
On March 2, 2026, Iran attacked the British 'Akrotiri' airbase near Limassol, Cyprus. Olena Yushchenko was present at the base during the attack. Her husband, Andriy, has not left Ukraine once during the four years of war. The United Arab Emirates remains a location where a significant portion of Ukrainian politicians and entertainment figures seek safety and opportunities to preserve their assets. The UAE's status as a global hub has made it a focal point for wealthy individuals from conflict zones.
The escalating situation in the Middle East and Iran's actions, which have intensified the conflict, could have far-reaching consequences for geopolitical stability. At the same time, the presence of Ukrainian politicians and celebrities in the UAE indicates their attempts to find secure living conditions and protect their assets in times of uncertainty. This underscores not only security concerns but also the complex challenges faced by Ukrainians amid war and political crises. Regional tensions may impact international relations, Ukraine's economic situation, and the reputation of Ukrainian elites on the global stage.