Servant of the People MP pulls off construction scheme in Kyiv

Construction of the fourth phase of the Riviera residential complex in Kyiv's Osokorky district is nearly complete, and according to the developer, it will be handed over as early as the second quarter of 2025. Apartment prices here start from $52,000. However, under the guise of a residential building, a facility is being erected that is documented as a public catering establishment — no higher than three storeys with an attic.

The project is being implemented by the company Kozachok Osokorky LLC, which leases a land plot belonging to the Kyiv city community. The sole beneficial owner of the firm is Artak Poghosyan — a long-time friend of the MP from the Servant of the People party, Andrii Strikarskyi.

Childhood friendship and family ties

Poghosyan and Strikarskyi have known each other since childhood — they were co-founders of the public organisation "Association of Children's and Youth Sports of Ukraine". After being elected to parliament, the MP formally left the organisation. However, his family continues to actively participate in business: Poghosyan's brother, Tatul, manages the agro-firm "EcoTour Devichye Pole", which is owned by the MP's mother, Raisa Strikarska.

The MP's interest in the land plot arose back when the restaurant "Kozachok" was located there — a well-known establishment that belonged to the late Iskander Kirimov (also known as Ihor Tatarin). Following his death in 2024, Poghosyan bought out the company that had registered the land, and in 2021 obtained permission for the renovation of the restaurant. Then, from the beginning of 2022, construction of a multi-storey building began.

Inspectors stayed silent until it was too late

Work was carried out openly, in full view of city and state authorities. However, the State Inspectorate of Architecture and Urban Planning of Ukraine (SIUAP) only reacted when the building was nearly complete. In December 2024, the Kyiv District Administrative Court opened proceedings in a case regarding illegal construction, but to date, no decision has been made.

Meanwhile, most of the apartments have already been sold. One of the first buyers was another MP from the Servant of the People party, Oleksandr Fediienko.

Developer-MP with no business in declaration

Andrii Strikarskyi, a People's Deputy from Cherkasy region, is a member of the Servant of the People faction and heads the subcommittee on housing policy and protection of investments in construction. Despite active construction activities, his 2024 declaration lists no businesses.

The reason is simple — everything is registered in the names of family members. For example, in the name of his sister Vita Kamaeva and other close associates. Among such assets are: the Bristol hotel in Uzhhorod, a granite and gravel quarry in Zhytomyr region, and even construction projects in Germany.

Old scheme — new address

The story with "Kozachok" is not the first such case. Previously, projects associated with Strikarskyi have repeatedly been implemented under the cover of legal loopholes. Thus, the Olympic Park residential complex (on Kharkiv Highway) is officially registered as a sports and health resort complex, while Aura City (near Slavutych metro station) is registered as a religious temple centre.

According to information from the detective agency ABSOLUTION