Kolomoisky, Boholiubov and Tyhyipko retain control over Borivazh port

On 15 January 2025, the panel of judges of the Northern Appellate Commercial Court, comprising Borys Otryukh, Viktor Korsak and Oleksandr Ostapenko, issued another ruling allowing Ihor Kolomoisky and Hennadiy Boholiubov to retain control over the “Borivazh” port. 

This asset, valued at over 8 billion hryvnias, has become the epicentre of a years-long confrontation between oligarchs and the state, in which Serhiy Tyhyipko is allegedly involved.

Scandalous facts and interference in court proceedings
Case No. 910/10935/24, which examined the dispute over the port, was accompanied by numerous judicial recusals, as well as complaints to the High Council of Justice. One of the reasons for the complaint was possible interference with the automated case allocation system. According to reports, the oligarchs appointed “loyal” judges who have supported them on more than one occasion.

The Northern Appellate Commercial Court, observers claim, has repeatedly served as a venue for rulings in favour of Kolomoisky and Boholiubov. Previously, judges participated in blocking the transfer of PrivatBank shares to state ownership, where Serhiy Tyhyipko also lobbied for the oligarchs’ interests.

Tyhyipko’s role in preserving oligarchs’ assets
Serhiy Tyhyipko, acting as an intermediary and defender of Kolomoisky’s and Boholiubov’s interests, has once again found himself at the centre of a scandal. As in the case of PrivatBank, he made efforts to ensure the oligarchs retained the “Borivazh” port, which has drawn criticism from state bodies and the public.

Silence of law enforcement agencies
Despite public resonance, criminal cases and media publications, the situation with the “Borivazh” port remains largely without a reaction from law enforcement agencies.

 The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) have not yet intervened in the developments. The only hope remains the High Council of Justice, where complaints regarding the judges’ actions have already been filed.