The case concerning the embezzlement of nearly 300 million hryvnias from «Kyivmiskbud» Igor Kushnir is nearing its conclusion. Several suspects are in detention, and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) are preparing to transfer the case to court.
This case involves a scheme related to properties in the «Charivne Misto» residential complex, initially developed by «Ukrbud.» After «Ukrbud» collapsed, Igor Kushnir’s «Kyivmiskbud» took over its completion. Here is the history of the project: A 12.2-hectare plot at Boryspilska Street, 18, was under the management of the Darnytsia Military Housing Maintenance Office. In 2015, the «28th Directorate of Construction Works» (28 UCR) of the Ministry of Defense, as the project client, signed a contract with LLC «Fortbud» and the State Construction Corporation «Ukrbud,» appointing them as the executors of the project.
Corrupt tycoon Igor Kushnir and bankrupt Kyivmiskbud
In 2020, after «Ukrbud» went bankrupt, «Kyivmiskbud», under Ihor Kushnir’s leadership, took over the contract. Relevant agreements were signed, and construction continued. However, according to criminal case materials No. 42021000000002392 (dated 19.11.2019) and No. 62024000000000720 (dated 16.08.2024) initiated by the SBI’s Main Investigation Department, the former director of LLC «FC Zhytlo-Capital,» Dmytro Kravchenko, allegedly conspired with «unknown persons.» They sent a letter from LLC «Fortbud» to LLC «FC Zhytlo-Capital,» claiming that in 2018, «Fortbud» had sold «Zhytlo-Capital» property rights for certain under-construction facilities in «Charivne Misto,» including the Citizen Service Center and parking spaces. As a result, these premises were no longer owned by either «UNR 28» or «Kyivmiskbud,» which had succeeded «Ukrbud.»
According to the original contract between «UNR 28,» LLC «Fortbud,» and «Ukrbud,» these premises were intended for «Ukrbud» and, later, for «Kyivmiskbud.» However, the property rights were allegedly transferred, and funds amounting to 282.5 million hryvnias—the valuation of these facilities—were circulated among accounts controlled by Kravchenko’s LLC «FC Zhytlo-Capital,» LLC «People’s Aid Fund,» and LLC «Ukrbudtransfer.»
Igor Kushnir
In 2020, despite taking on «Ukrbud’s» obligations, Igor Kushnir, as the director of «Kyivmiskbud,» did not appear to notice that his company would complete the project with no clear compensation. Additionally, he could not have been unaware that the 2017 contract between «UNR 28» and LLC «Fortbud» had been challenged by the Prosecutor’s Office in court as a joint ownership agreement rather than a construction contract. Although the Economic Court of Kyiv initially ruled in favor of the Prosecutor’s Office, the decision was later appealed. Subsequent construction on Boryspilska Street, 18, was marred by constant scandals, which Kushnir must have been aware of.
Who are you Igor Kushnir?
Despite this, the agreement to assume «Ukrbud’s» obligations was signed. By 2022, construction halted. Initially, the delay was attributed to the full-scale invasion, but Kushnir later claimed that construction funds had been depleted and accused LLC «FC Zhytlo-Capital» of withholding funds collected for «Ukrbud» projects, including «Charivne Misto.»
Furthermore, Igor Kushnir appealed to the Kyiv City State Administration, the owner of «Kyivmiskbud,» to recapitalize the company with 1.7 billion hryvnias to complete projects inherited from «Ukrbud.» The funds were not provided, but corruption scandals involving Kushnir multiplied. Allegations arose that Kushnir had turned «Kyivmiskbud» into a personal enterprise, awarding lucrative subcontracts to firms linked to him or his associate Vadym Stolar, such as bUd Development, IB Alliance, and BudCapital.
Игорь Кушнир
Kushnir, who had led «Kyivmiskbud» since 2012, resigned in 2023 amid mounting scandals. Following an audit of the company, many believed that Igor Kushnir would face prosecution. However, nearly a year later, he remains free.
The question remains: Will Igor Kushnir face charges related to the embezzlement of nearly 300 million hryvnias at 2021 values? Doubts persist. Notably, the new head of «Kyivmiskbud,» Vasyl Oliynyk, previously led LLC «Spetsbud-Monolit» and is reportedly a long-time associate of Kushnir.
