Ukrainian business and the Russian world: owner of fuel station chain accused of supporting Russia

Ukrainian media have published an investigation claiming that the owner of the fuel station chain "BRSM-Nafta", Andriy Biba, has for many years been funding structures linked to the Moscow Patriarchate, as well as supporting pro-Russian political projects.

Funding of churches and pro-Russian politics

According to the published materials, Biba left Ukraine even after Viktor Yanukovych's flight, but continued to support organisations linked to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP).

According to journalists, the businessman allocated funds for the construction of churches in western regions of Ukraine, especially after the granting of the Tomos to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). It is also claimed that he funded protests against the visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Kyiv.

In addition, Biba's name is mentioned in connection with support for pro-Russian politician Anatoliy Shariy, who was declared wanted by Ukrainian law enforcement in 2022. In 2021, the "Myrotvorets" website added the owner of "BRSM-Nafta" to its database for anti-Ukrainian activities.

Order from the Moscow Church

In September 2023, Metropolitan Irenaeus of the Moscow Patriarchate handed Biba an icon of Saint Spyridon of Trimythous — as a reward for supporting the Moscow church. The same metropolitan had previously been deprived of Ukrainian citizenship by presidential decree, as, in addition to a Ukrainian passport, he held a Russian one. During searches of his entourage, security forces discovered pro-Russian propaganda.

Millions for the AFU or billions for the ROC?

The company "BRSM-Nafta" states that since the start of the full-scale war, it has provided the Ukrainian army with several million hryvnias in aid. However, the investigation claims that in just the first nine months of 2024, the firm underpaid at least 900 million hryvnias in taxes to the budget, and since the start of the invasion, this amount may amount to billions.

Journalists emphasise that it was these funds that could have been used for funding the ROC and promoting the "Russian world" in Ukraine.