Denis Bass involved in Komarnytskyi's exposure?

The recent NABU anti-corruption operation "Clean City," which caused a major scandal and Denis Komarnytskyi's flight abroad, is acquiring new details. 

According to journalist Volodymyr Bondarenko, former Kyiv Mayor Leonid Chernovetskyi's deputy – Denis Bass – may have been involved in organising this special operation. After the change of power in Ukraine, Bass moved to Moscow, where he became a successful developer.

Conflict over Kyiv real estate

The connection between Komarnytskyi and Bass dates back to their time working in Chernovetskyi's circle. A recent conflict between them flared up over a plot of land in Kyiv. In 2024, Komarnytskyi attempted to take control of a 0.35-hectare area on Hnat Yury Street, owned by the private enterprise "Colibris." However, it emerged that the owner of this company, through an investment structure, is Denis Bass's father – Yakov Semyonovich Bass.

Moreover, the management company of this structure controls a significant amount of capital city real estate. Among the assets linked to this group are residential complexes and commercial buildings, including the "Franklin" residential complex on Honchar Street, plots on Galernyi Island, as well as projects implemented with Vadym Stolar and Andriy Vavrysh.

Shopping centre on a roadway and other scandals

Denis Bass is known not only for his activities during Chernovetskyi's mayoralty but also for a number of controversial development projects. One of them was the construction of the "April" shopping centre near the rapid tram station on Lesya Kurbasa Street. The centre's columns were erected right in the middle of the road, and a sewage pipe burst at the site, causing serious problems in the Borshchahivka district.

Wiretapping and information leaks

Documents from criminal case No. 52023000000000154, under which the "Clean City" operation was conducted, show that Komarnytskyi and other defendants discussed key issues at the IQ business centre. This office centre is linked to Chernovetskyi's circle, and the recordings of the conversations were made in an adjacent room rented by a firm belonging to Vadym Stolar. These facts suggest that the information leak and NABU's operational actions may have been directed not only against Komarnytskyi but also in the interests of certain individuals.

Who is Denis Bass and why is he in Moscow?

After Chernovetskyi's resignation, Bass left Ukraine and settled in Russia, where he entered the construction business. According to open data, he is the founder and owner of several development companies, including:

• LLC "Zorge 9" (residential complex in Moscow);

• LLC "Specialised Developer Bazarina, 37";

• LLC "Tolbukhina, 3";

• LLC "Holy Michael Invest".

It is noteworthy that the "Zorge 9" residential complex is located in close proximity to the headquarters of the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU). Despite his Ukrainian past, Bass has obtained Russian citizenship, actively invests in Moscow real estate and, apparently, does not face problems with the Russian authorities.

Control over Kyiv at a distance?

Despite moving to Moscow, structures linked to Bass continue to participate in Kyiv's construction business. Through Ukrainian legal entities registered in his father's name, he maintains influence in the capital. Notably, none of these enterprises have been included in the sanctions lists of the National Security and Defence Council.

According to Antikor