Mindich's Partner Acquired $4.5 Million in Land Near Bukovel and Fled on the Day of NABU Raids

Ihor Khmelov and His Business Interests in Bukovel

According to Главком: Since 2022, Ihor Khmelov, a business partner of Timur Mindich and a former top manager at the defense company Fire Point, has been actively purchasing land plots and recreational properties near Bukovel. Preliminary estimates suggest the acquired land could be worth around $4.5 million. Khmelov’s name appears in numerous companies, most of which are linked to the 'Privat' group. He has also worked within structures tied to Ihor Palytsia's family and firms connected to Timur Mindich.

Starting in 2022, Khmelov began buying land in the village of Yablunytsia. Initially, he made purchases individually, but later operated through the company 'Eventus Management'. The acquired plots housed a restaurant, a hotel, and a glamping site, and an additional hotel complex was later built there. By January 2026, the company had registered 24 plots totaling approximately 9 hectares. The land alone could be worth about $4.5 million.

Cases and Suspects

Khmelov is also mentioned in the 'Midas' case, which NABU detectives have been investigating. In NABU recordings, Khmelov appears alongside other individuals who have been named as suspects. On November 10, 2025, NABU announced suspicions against seven people in this case, including Timur Mindich. Mindich is reportedly referred to by the code name 'Carlson' in the recordings.

In November 2025, Khmelov left the country on the same day as the searches at Mindich’s properties and began withdrawing from nearly all his business structures, including exiting ownership of 'Eventus Management'. His position in that company was taken over by 'Zlahoda Properties', while Khmelov’s manager remained in charge. Extradition materials for Timur Mindich have already been sent to the Prosecutor General’s Office, and the extradition request has been pending there for two weeks.

The list of suspects in the 'Midas' case includes:

• Timur Mindich – businessman and co-founder of the 'Kvartal-95' studio (code name Carlson)
• Ihor Myroniuk (Rocket) – former advisor to the Minister of Energy
• Dmytro Basov (Tenor) – executive director of security at the company 'Energoatom'
• Oleksandr Tsukerman (Sugarman)
• Ihor Fursenko (Ryoshyk)
• Lesia Ustymenko
• Liudmyla Zorina

The cases involving Khmelov and Mindich continue to draw attention as investigations proceed and suspects are brought to court.

This situation underscores the complexity and significance of business and corruption investigations in Ukraine.

Cases involving influential figures often attract substantial public interest, as they can impact the reputations of businesspeople and trust in state institutions. At the same time, Khmelov’s active real estate dealings in Bukovel may point to significant economic interests in the region, which could also have implications for the development of tourism infrastructure in Ukraine. For English-speaking readers, this case highlights the ongoing challenges of corruption and high-stakes business dealings in post-Soviet states, where land acquisitions and legal probes often intersect.

As the investigation into the Midas case intensifies, the recent developments involving new allegations against former officials highlight the broader implications for those linked to the scandal. The connections between Khmelov and other suspects raise questions about the extent of their involvement and the potential fallout as law enforcement agencies continue their probes.