Communication failure or information operation: what is behind the rumors about Umerov’s departure from Ukraine?
17 November 17:41
The National Security and Defense Council has denied rumors that began to appear in the media that Secretary Rustem Umerov “left the country and refuses to return.” This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the Center for Countering Disinformation under the agency.
They stated that Rustem Umerov is on a planned official business trip – he is currently working in the United States of America, where he is “holding a series of working consultations and meetings aimed at strengthening international support for Ukraine.”
“Rustem Umerov remains in constant working contact with the leadership of the state, fulfills all the tasks assigned and continues to work on key issues of security, defense and humanitarian policy,” the CPD said.
They also asked ordinary Ukrainians and media workers not to spread unverified reports that mislead the public and work in the interests of information operations against Ukraine.
It should be noted that the information that Rustem Umerov allegedly would not return to Ukraine first appeared on November 17 on the Clash Report media page on the social network X.
Rustem Umerov, former Minister of Defense of Ukraine and later Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, refused to return to Ukraine. According to media reports, he personally informed President Zelenskyy of his decision. “Umerov is now in Turkey,” the post read.
A few days earlier, Umerov’s name began to appear in the media in connection with the Mindich tapes and the Midas operation of the NABU and SAPO. According to media reports, law enforcement officers allegedly began investigating the possible influence of businessman Timur Mindich on Umerov. The latter was even planned to be summoned for questioning before he suddenly left for a business trip to Turkey.
A few days earlier, the NSDC Secretary himself said the following about his ties with the disgraced businessman:
“There was a meeting with Timur Mindich, where we raised the issue of bulletproof vests under the contract. As a result, the contract was terminated because the products did not meet the requirements and no product was delivered.
This is how the official responded to the remark of the SAPO prosecutor, who on November 11, during a meeting on choosing a preventive measure for the defendants in the Mindich investigation, stated the following in his speech:
“During 2025, the facts of Mindich’s criminal activity in the energy sector through his influence on Energy Minister Halushchenko and in the defense sector through his influence on Defense Minister Umerov were established.
umerov’s “American trace”: real estate worth millions and unanswered questions
In September, an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Action Center (AntAC) revealed that former Defense Minister and current NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov and his family have significant real estate assets in the United States. We are talking about eight luxury properties, some of which were not previously listed in the declarations.
A rented apartment, Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton, FL with an area of 137.4 sq m (1479 sq ft). This is the only officially declared apartment of the family in the United States; Umerov’s wife has been renting it since 2019, according to her data, but it appears in the US registers from September 2018 to August 2025, and the address was indicated when the documents were changed in 2016. The residential complex is located on the first line of the ocean with a swimming pool, fitness center, tennis courts, security and parking. Similar apartments are valued at about $1 million, with rents of $9-10 thousand per month.
Another apartment on Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton, FL with an area of 134.5 square meters. Umerov’s wife was registered at this address from September 8, 2018 to May 4, 2019; the address was also indicated when she renewed her driver’s license in 2019. Rent for a similar apartment is about $7 thousand per month. This apartment has been missing from Umerov’s declarations since 2019.
The apartment where his father, Enver Umerov, registered is also located in the Chalfonte residential complex, Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton. The father has been registered since May 31, 2020. The estimated cost of this apartment is about $1.2 million, rent is about $7.2 thousand per month; the description indicates 450 square feet (probably an error in the source) with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
Apartment in Manhattan, 39th St., New York, NY – 2-bedroom, 90.2 sq. m. Rustem Umerov was registered here from November 6, 2015 to July 2025; his brother Aslan Omer Kirimli was registered in the same apartment for a long time. The rent for similar housing in New York is $7.7-8.5 thousand per month, the estimated cost is about $1.3 million.
Villa NW 25th St, Boca Raton, FL – 257.1 sq. m. The wife Leila was registered here from October 10, 2017 to July 2025. Her American phone number is linked to the same address. The house has 4 bedrooms, a swimming pool, three garages; the market value is more than $900 thousand, rent is about $7 thousand per month.
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Villa on Villa Nova Drive, Boca Raton, FL with an area of 167.2 square meters. The company Astem Ventures Inc. is registered at this address, through which Umerov’s wife allegedly receives significant income; the president and registration agent of the company is the minister’s brother Aslan. The American Gallery of Art LLC of his brother also appears at the address. The cost of the house is about $691 thousand, the rent is about $4.5 thousand per month.
Villa on NW 29th Dr, Boca Raton, FL. The area is 283 square meters, 5 bedrooms and 4 baths. Aslan’s brother and his wife Ediye were registered at this address; Rustem’s parents also used this address for their driver’s license. The market value of the property is about $1.29 million, and the rent is $10.8 thousand per month.
Villa NW 26th Ave, Boca Raton, FL with an area of 212 square meters. According to the data, Aslan’s brother stayed here from August 2017 to January 2025; his brother’s wife was registered from September 2019 to August 2025. The market value is about $1.1 million, the rental rate is $10 thousand per month.
Thus, the Umerov family turned out to be connected to several addresses in Boca Raton and an apartment in Manhattan; some of the properties are mentioned in official declarations, others are not. According to market estimates, these are premium segment properties with annual rental and purchase prices that indicate a significant level of wealth and numerous financial flows associated with close relatives.
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