Former Vinnytsia Region Deputy Accused of Illicit Enrichment Worth UAH 36.5 Million

Investigation Targets Oleksandr Kulyk

According to Главком: Authorities from the National Police's Main Investigation Department have formally charged Oleksandr Kulyk, a former deputy of the Ivanivka Village Council in the Khmilnyk District of Vinnytsia Oblast. A review of his 2022 asset declaration uncovered unlawful enrichment totaling over UAH 36.5 million, along with the filing of false information valued at more than UAH 31.8 million. Kulyk now faces allegations under Ukraine's Criminal Code for illicit enrichment and submitting inaccurate declaration data.

Violations Uncovered

The investigation revealed that Oleksandr Kulyk concealed the following assets:

• 62 agricultural land plots located in Vinnytsia Oblast;
• 29 vehicles, including trucks, passenger cars, and specialized machinery, among them three Mercedes-Benz automobiles;
• 5 large real estate properties, comprising residential houses, a gas station, and a pig farm;

In total, Kulyk hid UAH 8 million in cash, the lawful origin of which he could not explain.

During 2022, Kulyk acquired 47 land plots. An independent market appraisal valued these at UAH 33.9 million, though purchase agreements listed significantly lower prices. One of the three Mercedes-Benz cars was registered for just UAH 5,000, despite its actual market value ranging from UAH 327,000. Another vehicle was documented at UAH 200,000, while its market price was at least UAH 4.2 million. The third Mercedes-Benz was purchased for UAH 3.1 million. Estimates show that over a single year, the deputy's wealth grew by UAH 42 million, whereas his official legal income for that period amounted to only UAH 5.3 million.

Investigators are currently continuing their probe. Meanwhile, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) has launched a full review of the 2024 declaration filed by Tetiana Krupa, the former head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Center for Medical and Social Expertise.

This case underscores the critical need to monitor public officials' incomes and ensure they align with their declared assets.

The charges against Oleksandr Kulyk could have far-reaching implications, not only for him personally but also for the overall credibility of local government bodies. The violations uncovered may trigger stricter declaration audits for other officials, thereby enhancing public trust in state institutions.

As investigations into corruption in Ukraine continue to unfold, similar cases have emerged, highlighting the alarming trend of public officials concealing significant assets. For instance, a recent case involving a Ukrainian MP revealed attempts to hide over $8.3 million in properties and funds. Such revelations not only raise questions about accountability but also underscore the need for thorough scrutiny of declarations by public servants. To learn more about this troubling situation, see the full details here.