Ex-deputy mayor of Kharkiv to be tried for embezzlement of UAH 5.4 million: he profited from war
1 July 2025 18:37
The Security Service of Ukraine, together with the National Police and the Prosecutor’s Office, has completed a pre-trial investigation into former Deputy Mayor of Kharkiv Andriy Rudenko. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing information from law enforcement.
The official is suspected of involvement in a large-scale scheme to embezzle budget funds allocated for the construction of fortifications in the Slobozhansky area. According to the investigation, the amount of losses is at least UAH 5.4 million.
The essence of the scheme
The investigation established that Rudenko, using his official position and a network of controlled commercial entities, organized the supply of construction materials at inflated prices. The materials were sold through fictitious companies, including Bud-Tekhprom LLC and several individual entrepreneurs, who bought the products at market prices and then sold them at a markup of more than 30% to Tech-Ink. This company, in turn, entered into contracts with the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration to supply materials for fortifications.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers conducted dozens of searches, seized documents, digital media, bank statements, contracts, and draft accounting records confirming the scheme of fictitious overpricing.
Reaction of the parties
The Prosecutor’s Office qualifies Rudenko’s actions under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- ч. 1 and 3 of Art. 255 (creation and participation in a criminal organization),
- ч. 5 of Art. 191 (embezzlement of state funds in especially large amounts under martial law);
- article 366 (forgery in office).
If the official’s guilt is proven, he faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
Mr. Rudenko himself maintains his innocence, stating that he was performing volunteer functions and had nothing to do with the fortification contracts. He also claims that the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration allegedly has no claims regarding the work performed.
According to the National Police, the case will be sent to court in the near future. In addition to Rudenko, four other people are being prosecuted – heads of fictitious companies and individual entrepreneurs. The investigation believes it has documented a full chain of abuses that were possible despite the wartime conditions.
The case has already caused a wide public outcry as it involves the misuse of funds intended to protect the country on the front line.
Read also: Ukraine is investigating embezzlement of UAH 20 billion in construction of fortifications – FT
What you need to know about Andriy Rudenko’s accomplices
One of the key figures was 23-year-old Olga Sarycheva, a girl who until recently worked as an administrator at the Sushi Master restaurant. Shortly after opening her sole proprietorship, she received more than 20 million hryvnias from Tech-Incom, allegedly for the purchase of construction materials.
However, the bank blocked her account, suspecting money laundering. The BES launched an investigation and discovered an extensive scheme to withdraw public funds through a number of fictitious companies.
In addition, Victoria Pysmak is involved in the case . She is a co-owner of Tech-Incom and Rudenko’s business partner. However, she resigned from the company’s management immediately after the law enforcement and tax authorities began to inspect Tech-Incom.
How the Rudenko case is connected to Russia
One of the companies involved in the construction of fortifications in Kharkiv region, Project Alliance LLC, found itself at the center of a scandal because of its owners’ ties to pro-Russian forces and Russian citizens. According to Hromadske, the company’s co-founders are Andriy Kolos and Oleksandr Sorochynsky.
Kolos previously headed the Department of Economics of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration and as of August 2024 was a member of the executive committee of the regional council. Politically, he is associated with the former pro-Russian party OPFL: he ran for office on its ticket and was an assistant to former MP Feldman.
His partner, Oleksandr Sorochynskyi, turned out to be related to Russian citizen Oleh Lukin, with whom he had a joint company that was formally liquidated by court order back in 2013. However, legally, as of the second half of 2024, it continued to exist.
Another former co-founder of Project Alliance, Ihor Rozhkov, is listed in Russian registers as a Russian citizen and owner of several construction companies in Russia. His relative , Mykyta Rozhkov, is a deputy of the Kharkiv District Council and is also affiliated with the OPFL. The entire Rozhkov family, according to journalists, had active business in Russia.
Despite these connections, Project Alliance received government contracts from the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration. In 2024 alone, the company was paid UAH 266 million for work on defense facilities.
From assistant foreman at a factory to deputy mayor of Kharkiv: what we know about Andrii Rudenko
Andrii Rudenkowas born on September 6, 1972 in Kharkiv. In 2003, he graduated from Kharkiv State Technical University of Mechanization and Electrification of Agriculture with a degree in electrical engineering. In 2017, he graduated from Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs with a degree in law.
In 1991, he worked as an assistant foreman at the Kharkiv Spinning and Weaving Factory of the Chervona Nitka Association.
In 1994, he became a private entrepreneur and was engaged in trade and procurement activities and the production of bakery products.
In 2000, he was appointed director of the Saltovsky Trading House Limited Liability Company.
In 2002, he was elected to the Kharkiv City Council of the 4th convocation as a self-nominated candidate. He is the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Industry, Economic Development and Property of the Kharkiv City Council.
From 2001 to 2012, he worked as the Chairman of the Board of Saltovsky Bakery, a closed joint-stock company.
In 2006, he was elected to the Kharkiv City Council from the NANU. He is a member of the Standing Committee on Industry, Economic Development and Property of the Kharkiv City Council.
In 2010, he was elected to the Kharkiv City Council of the 6th convocation from the All-Ukrainian Union “Batkivshchyna”. Member of the Standing Committee on Industry, Economic Development and Property of the Kharkiv City Council.
In 2013-2014, he was the head of the Dergachiv District State Administration of the Kharkiv region. In the same year, he became the Deputy Mayor of Kharkiv Hennadiy Kernes for Housing and Communal Services.
In 2015, he was elected to the Kharkiv City Council of the 7th convocation from the “Vidrodzhennia” party. He is a member of the Standing Committee on Industry, Economic Development and Property of the Kharkiv City Council. In the same year, he became Deputy Mayor of Kharkiv Hennadiy Kernes for Housing and Communal Services and remained in this position when Igor Terekhov became mayor.
In 2020, he was elected as a deputy of the Kharkiv City Council of the 8th convocation from the Kernes Bloc – Successful Kharkiv party. He is a member of the Kharkiv City Council’s Standing Committee on Industry, Economic Development and Property.
In 2024, Rudenko was dismissed from the post of Deputy Mayor of Kharkiv. In the same year, the official resigned from the party and from the “Kernes Bloc – Successful Kharkiv” faction.
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