Oleh Vynnyk says business partnership fell apart after producer seized control amid war

The dispute between Oleh Vynnyk and Oleksandr Horbenko

According to Главком: Ukrainian singer Oleh Vynnyk has revealed a major fallout with his producer Oleksandr Horbenko, which escalated following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to Vynnyk, Horbenko took over his company, changed the locks on a Kyiv apartment registered under the firm, and locked the artist out of his digital accounts. Vynnyk left for Germany shortly after the invasion began and has tried to resolve the issue there, but without success. For context, many Ukrainian artists have faced disruptions to their careers and assets since the war started, with disputes like this highlighting the vulnerabilities of informal business arrangements.

Vynnyk and Horbenko had worked together for roughly 16 years, basing their partnership on a verbal 50-50 profit-sharing agreement. However, tensions between them had already surfaced before the full-scale war. Vynnyk's health problems emerged about a year prior to the invasion, which may have strained their relationship further.

Fallout and consequences

The singer claims that after the conflict erupted, Horbenko seized control of his company, swapped the locks on the Kyiv apartment-which was owned by the firm-and deleted all of Vynnyk's social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

“On Maundy Thursday, he deleted all my social media, shut down all my emails, social networks, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, everything, everything, everything,” Vynnyk stated.

He reported the matter to German police but has not regained access to his resources.

Vynnyk also attempted to arrange an official meeting with Horbenko involving a third party, but those plans fell through.

“When I tried to take everything back, they changed the locks,” the singer emphasized, noting that his personal belongings remain inside the apartment.

This situation stems from a long-running dispute between the artist and his producer, which has ultimately led to serious repercussions for both sides. Vynnyk is still looking for ways to reclaim control over his assets and settle the conflict that has unfolded amid the hardships of war.

The clash between Oleh Vynnyk and Oleksandr Horbenko underscores the challenges Ukrainian performers face during wartime, when questions of ownership over creative assets become especially critical. This affair could further impact the reputations and careers of both individuals in a period of national instability. By fighting to regain control of his resources, Vynnyk illustrates how vital it is for artists to safeguard their rights and interests, particularly in times of crisis.

The ongoing challenges faced by Ukrainian artists amid the war have led to various disputes, similar to the recent situation involving Oleh Vynnyk and his producer. As tensions rise, other artists are also experiencing conflicts affecting their performances and public engagements. For instance, a venue dispute has halted a concert by Pavlyk, illustrating the broader impact of the war on the creative community.