Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Targets Acting Head of Asset Recovery Agency

Profile of Yaroslav Maksymenko

According to Главком: Ukraine's Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) has initiated a criminal investigation into the possible misconduct of Yaroslav Maksymenko, the acting head of the National Agency of Ukraine for finding, tracing, and managing assets (ARMA). This development raises significant questions about her background as she participates in a competitive selection process for the permanent leadership role. The agency she temporarily leads is a key body in Ukraine's fight to recover assets lost to corruption, especially following Russia's full-scale invasion.

Maksymenko assumed the role of acting head of ARMA in August 2025. Her previous position was leading the department of property policy and sanctions at the Ministry of Economy, then under Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. Her official declaration lists corporate rights in LLC 'Krymproekt-servis', a company registered in Crimea in 2011, which ceased operations in 2020. From 2012, this company was headed by Yevhen Maksymenko.

Maksymenko also served as a corporate affairs advisor to Dmytro Sennychenko, the former head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine (SPFU). Sennychenko is currently abroad and is a suspect in a money laundering case. Furthermore, Maksymenko was a member of the supervisory board of the Odesa Portside Plant and held management functions at the United Mining and Chemical Company. Both of these state-owned enterprises have been subjects of criminal proceedings investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and SAPO. However, law enforcement has not brought any procedural claims against Maksymenko herself.

Financial Affairs and Criminal Proceedings

In 2025, Maksymenko purchased a 115.7 square meter apartment in Kyiv for 6.1 million UAH. This purchase occurred on the same day she sold another property, from which she received 6.3 million UAH. Maksymenko also owns a 2014 Infiniti QX60 vehicle. For 2024, she declared a salary exceeding 1 million UAH. Her husband, Vitaliy, reported an income of 1.8 million UAH for 2024. Her declaration also lists $25,000 in cash and over 100,000 UAH in bank accounts.

The criminal proceeding opened by SAPO was registered on January 23 of this year under Part 2 of Article 364 of Ukraine's Criminal Code, which concerns abuse of power or office. This has prompted additional scrutiny of Maksymenko's professional conduct and potential risks regarding her candidacy for the permanent directorship of ARMA.

The opening of a criminal case against Yaroslav Maksymenko underscores the critical importance of transparency and accountability within state institutions, particularly those responsible for managing seized assets.

The context of this situation indicates that Ukrainian society and state institutions continue to actively monitor the activities of public officials, a crucial element of the country's broader anti-corruption policy. Observers will be closely watching the progress of this investigation and its impact on ARMA's leadership appointment.