Contacts with Russian defence industry found for Matviy Bedny

In recent months, public attention has once again turned to the problems facing Ukrainian sports, particularly following personnel changes at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. 

Matviy Bedny was appointed acting minister, a move that not only attracted media attention but also placed him at the centre of several scandals, including alleged links with Russia and corruption cases.

Vadym Guttsait's resignation: in the wake of personnel changes

In late 2023, Vadym Guttsait, who held the post of Minister of Youth and Sports, submitted his resignation. The decision was made on 8 November, when the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, announced the relevant statement. Guttsait himself confirmed that he was leaving to focus on his work with the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. 

However, shortly after his appeal, it emerged that Guttsait had become the centre of a political scandal over a letter to the International Olympic Committee concerning the recognition of Russian organisations in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

Matviy Bedny's appointment: a new minister and old scandals

The new minister, Matviy Bedny, became acting minister a few days after Guttsait's resignation. Bedny had previously served as deputy minister since 2020, but his career has not been free from controversy. For instance, in late July 2023, amendments were made to an order that allowed Ukrainian athletes to participate in international competitions alongside Russians and Belarusians. 

Furthermore, media outlets accused him of signing orders for training camps involving a gymnast whose actions could raise questions. Subsequently, the Ministry of Youth and Sports restricted access to these documents, which only added to suspicions of possible violations.

Family ties and scandals involving his father-in-law

Against the backdrop of political changes within the ministry, more personal details concerning Matviy Bedny's family also came to light. His wife, Viktoria Dashutina, attracted attention due to her connection with the family business. 

Dashutina is the daughter of Hryhorii Dashutin, a businessman who was detained by law enforcement on charges of aiding Russia during the war in Ukraine. Notably, after searches at his enterprises, which supplied goods to Russia, a number of companies, including those owned by his family, were placed under the management of the state agency ARMA.

Ambiguous relationships and questions about the business

As for Matviy Bedny himself, his ties to the Dashutin family have also not gone unnoticed. In an interview, he stated that he does not maintain close relations with his father-in-law, and his wife allegedly withdrew from the family business. 

However, according to official data, she remains the owner of several companies linked to the family business, raising further questions about potential conflicts of interest.

 Requests have already been sent to law enforcement agencies to investigate possible links between his family and the aggressor state, as well as potential hidden corruption schemes.