Russia’s war against Ukraine has severely damaged the property and money of Ukrainian oligarchs. Where are they now, what role do they play and do they help their country? “Deutsche Welle“He tried to lift the curtain.
Everyone in Ukraine is experiencing the effects of Russia’s war, including the oligarchs – their businesses have been hit by Russian bombing and shelling, and their economic losses are great.
A number of oligarchs are allocating funds to the army and humanitarian aid to protect their property from Russian aggression. But there are those whose activities are unknown.
The richest Ukrainian stumbled upon Russia, and here’s what he wants to do
The oligarchs are helping Ukraine
Even before the start of the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on oligarchs and businessmen who had left the country to return. Vadim Novinski, Viktor Pinchuk and Rinat Akhmetov are known to have returned and are allocating funds for the needs of the army and for humanitarian aid, according to their press services.
Since the beginning of the war, oligarch Rinat Akhmetov has provided more than 2.1 billion hryvnias (about 63 million euros) for humanitarian aid and support to the Ukrainian armed forces.
The richest Ukrainian stumbled on Russia again and vowed to …
Rinat Akhmetov
Victor and Elena Pinchuk have set aside more than 730 million hryvnias (about 23 million euros) to finance the purchase of armored vehicles, body armor and helmets, communications equipment, intelligence equipment, etc.
Victor Pinchuk
Ukraine is also assisted by oligarch Dmitry Firtash, who has been living abroad for several years – he transferred 308 million hryvnias (to one million euros) mainly for humanitarian purposes, Vadim Novinsky provided 505 million hryvnias (1.5 million euros) for medical equipment. , medicines, food and evacuation of refugees.
As the inspection shows, the former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has provided aid for various military and humanitarian needs of about 300 million hryvnia.
Dmitry Firtash
The incarnation of the oligarchs
Almost all well-known oligarchs say they are helping Ukraine, perhaps the only exception being Igor Kolomoisky, who did not appear in the media and only succinctly said he would help “after the war.”
Eight years ago, Kolomoisky, as governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, was one of the key figures in organizing the resistance against Russian aggression in Ukraine. He publicly called Vladimir Putin a “schizophrenic” who wanted to rebuild the Soviet Union. And why is he refusing to help now? The main assumption is that he has been sanctioned and probably has limited access to his funds.
Rinat Akhmetov took an ambiguous position in 2014, and now he plays an active role in the defense of Ukraine, economist Volodymyr Dubrovsky told the State Security. “Maybe he didn’t realize then that he was helping Russia. After that, he seems to have understood everything and is now defending his interests related to Ukraine. “
What is the impact on the business?
The desire of most oligarchs to help Ukraine is understandable – because of the war a significant part of their assets was in a territory where active hostilities are taking place, and human migration has a negative impact on the labor market, explains the chairman of the Institute for Economic Research and Political consultations Igor Burakovski.
The Azovstal plant in Mariupol, for example, is owned by Metinvest, owned by Akhmetov and Novinski. According to the Ukrainian edition of Forbes, since the beginning of the war Akhmetov has lost 9.5 billion dollars, Novinsky – 2.2 billion, Kolomoisky – 800 million, Pinchuk – 700 million, Poroshenko – 900 million.
President Zelenski himself has promised to re-evaluate the behavior of the oligarchs: “We will draw conclusions when we win,” he said. What will be the attitude to them is unknown. According to expert Dubrovski, however, after the war it will be necessary to destroy the system that has long nurtured close contacts between business and government.
–
