From hookah waiter to millionaire: the story of Vladyslav Myroshnychenko

Vladyslav Myroshnychenko is a 26-year-old resident of Kharkiv who, just a few years ago, worked in hookah lounges and bars, serving customers. Today, the young man lives a luxurious life, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on sports cars, travel, premium real estate and expensive accessories. He also counts Alexander Slobodianko among his friends.

Myroshnychenko converts his income into cryptocurrency, thereby hiding his assets from taxation.

Myroshnychenko has become an example of how, in wartime conditions, one can not only avoid military service but also evade paying taxes. 

This case has become a striking example of how one can buy a military “deferment” while continuing to enjoy the privileges of a luxurious life — from private jets to expensive foreign cars and apartments in elite residential complexes in Kyiv.

Just a few years ago, Vlad was an ordinary young man living in a panel-block apartment on the outskirts of Kharkiv. He worked in several local hookah lounges and bars, such as Chill Out and Infinity, where he was known by the nicknames "Vlad the Bartender" or "Vlad from Mask Security Agency". However, with the start of the war, his life changed dramatically.

After leaving Kharkiv in the first months of the hostilities, he moved to Kyiv, where he started a new life. His simple apartment was replaced by premium housing in the “French Quarter”, and public transport was swapped for his own cars. First, a 2020 BMW X6, then a 2023 Porsche Cayenne, and finally, in 2024, a BMW M3 and a Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG, with a total value of approximately $650,000.

Myroshnychenko did not limit himself to cars. In October 2023, he purchased an apartment in the prestigious “Triiinity” residential complex for approximately $350,000, and later bought two parking spaces for $68,000. His collection of luxury items was also supplemented by expensive Richard Mille and Rolex watches, on which he spent approximately $300,000.

Myroshnychenko is a vivid example of how one can make a rapid career and financial leap in a short period, but at the same time, his story raises questions about the origin of his wealth and possible methods of tax evasion.