Infrastructure Minister Mykola Kalashnyk has said his work as head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration is being “discredited”. A post on Facebook and other social networks appeared after a video recorded by businessman Oleksandr Sokolov, whose home police searched as part of an investigation into the embezzlement of funds allocated for the construction of protective structures in Kyiv Region. Photos from the search spread online after being published by volunteer Serhii Sternenko: they show a mansion with gilding, a live crocodile and a Rolls-Royce.
Kalashnyk claims that, as head of the regional military administration, he acted within the law and his powers. He said he has the relevant documents and intends to make them public.
“I will answer all questions about my work on the merits — with facts and documents. Our priority is preserving and restoring infrastructure, helping people who need light, heat, water and the confidence that the state is doing everything necessary to protect them. The ministry is continuing this work,” he commented.
The anti-corruption centre Mezha reported that companies linked to Sokolov were receiving contracts to build protective structures for energy facilities, and that from March to July this year the regional military administration signed agreements with them worth 1.7 billion hryvnias. According to the centre, Sokolov is a long-time acquaintance of Ruslan Oliinyk, who was recently dismissed from his post as Kalashnyk’s deputy.
- Kalashnyk took up the post of First Deputy Head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration in December 2024, after more than ten years working in various roles at the Darnytsia District State Administration. In January 2025 he became acting head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, and in March received a full appointment.
- In July this year, during a government reshuffle, Kalashnyk was appointed Ukraine’s Minister for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport.