Apartments, a Mercedes, and a house worth $550,000: Stefanishina was charged with illegal enrichment
6 August 12:20
On August 6, NABU and the SAPO issued their first official statement regarding the charges against Ukraine’s former ambassador to the U.S. and former Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishyna. The press service of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau stated that the charges were filed for alleged illegal enrichment totaling more than 13.9 million hryvnias and false reporting of assets.
This is stated in a press release issued by the agency on Thursday, August 6, according to [Komersant]
What is Stefanishyna suspected of?
According to the investigation, while serving in public office, the official acquired assets whose value significantly exceeds her lawful income.
This includes property with a total value of over 13.9 million hryvnias, which, according to investigators, did not correspond to the suspect’s official financial means.
She is also accused of providing false information in her electronic declarations.
What assets did NABU detectives uncover?
According to NABU, the suspect actually owned:
- two apartments in the Kyiv residential complex “Faina Town, ” registered in a friend’s name, with a total value of nearly 11 million hryvnias.
In addition, the investigation established that she was using other assets registered in the names of close relatives:
- an apartment in the “Lvivska Ploshcha” business-class residential complex, registered in her mother’s name;
- a parking space and several non-residential premises in the same complex, registered in her father’s name;
- a Mercedes-Benz GLC 220 d, registered in the name of a subordinate.
According to law enforcement officials, information about this property was not included in the declarations.
Investigation: Official Planned to Buy a House for $550,000
The NABU also reported that the former government official was negotiating the purchase of a private home near Kyiv.
According to the investigation:
- the estimated value of the property was $550,000;
- $250,000 was to be paid in cash;
- the remainder was to be paid by transferring two apartments in the “Faina Town” residential complex.
However, the deal never went through. According to investigators, the reason may have been preparations for the official’s appointment to a diplomatic post abroad.
Watch us on YouTube: important topics – without censorship
Income Did Not Match Expenses
The investigation notes that the suspect’s official income did not allow for such purchases.
According to the NABU:
- from early 2024 to mid-2025 , she officially received approximately 3.7 million UAH in income;
- at the same time , approximately 4.2 million UAH was spent from her bank accounts alone during this period.
What preventive measure did the court impose?
Currently, the court has imposed a preventive measure on the suspect in the form of bail set at 6 million hryvnias.
NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) are continuing their pre-trial investigation.
What is known about the case
On August 5, it was reported that anti-corruption authorities had notified Olga Stefanishyna of a new charge. During the court hearing, the prosecutor explained that the case involves three counts: one count of illicit enrichment and two counts of failure to declare assets.
In addition to the well-founded suspicion, the prosecutor outlined three risks: the risk that the suspect might abscond from the court, influence on witnesses—her friend and subordinates—and direct influence on three competitive selection committees and the results of appointments, which, according to the investigation, could obstruct these criminal proceedings.
Stefanishyna was recently dismissed from her post as ambassador to the U.S.—as early as the beginning of July, media outlets reported that she herself had requested to end her diplomatic service due to personal circumstances.
It was also reported that in July 2025, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal investigation into possible misconduct by the former Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine — Olga Stefanishyna, Minister of Justice of Ukraine.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court and confirmed by a final and binding conviction.
Read us on Telegram: important topics – without censorship
