Russian national Maria Neskorodko on trial in Lviv

A court case that has attracted public attention is approaching in Lviv. Local residents are preparing to express their civic stance at the hearing 

of the Eighth Administrative Court of Appeal, where the case of Maria Neskorodko — a Russian national who hid under a false name and caused harm to Ukraine for many years — will be heard.

The mysterious identity of Maria Neskorodko: a borrowed life, a hidden truth

Maria Neskorodko, a native of Saint Petersburg, lived in Ukraine under the fictitious name of Kateryna Cheprakova since 2015, posing as the daughter of Lviv resident Serhiy Cheprakova. 

The legend she created with Cheprakova allowed the Russian national to remain unnoticed for a long time and effectively evade Ukrainian legislation. According to journalists, Maria Neskorodko's real name and origin are linked to her father, Serhiy Neskorodko, a Russian national who also settled in Lviv.

 The family history proves to be no less interesting: Maria's brother, Nazar, and her uncle, Mykola, have criminal connections, which adds suspicion to her circle.

A secret life in Lviv: information gathering or an ordinary life?

Since Maria's arrival in Lviv, immediately after the Revolution of Dignity and the annexation of Crimea, her life in the city did not appear accidental. Witnesses report that the "father" and "daughter" led an isolated life, making regular trips around the city that resembled intelligence activities rather than normal routines. This raises many questions: what information was Neskorodko collecting? Who was receiving it? The answers to these questions could be extremely important for Ukraine's security.

Court proceedings and appeal: will there be justice?

As a result of the work of the State Migration Service of Ukraine, Maria Neskorodko's fraudulent scheme was exposed. On 29 January 2025, the Halytskyi District Court found her guilty of violating Ukraine's migration legislation, however, Neskorodko herself filed an appeal with the Eighth Administrative Court of Appeal. This appeal raises questions related to a possible corrupt element. There are suspicions that Maria Neskorodko may be receiving support from local politicians, which further complicates the situation.

Support from dubious figures

Maria Neskorodko's interests in court are represented by Orest Mykolaichuk, a lawyer with a political past who ran in the 2015 elections as a candidate of Petro Poroshenko's Bloc. His defence raises questions: does supporting a Russian agent contradict the political views he advocates? It is also unclear who is financing the services of an expensive lawyer, given that Neskorodko herself does not work and has no income.

According to independent sources, Maria is being supported by Serhiy Halychenko, a known military deserter who became a hero of Russian propaganda after refusing to carry out an order during the war in Ukraine. This only strengthens suspicions about Neskorodko's links with people who undermine Ukraine's security.

Based on materials from Antikor