Deputy head of Lysychansk administration caught hiding assets

The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) identified discrepancies in the 2023 asset declaration submitted by Ihor Kostenko, deputy head of the Lysychansk City Military Administration. The official failed to declare part of his real estate, understated the value of several assets, and listed inaccurate amounts in his family's bank accounts.

Discrepancies totalling 1.8 million hryvnia

According to 368.media, the total amount of identified discrepancies exceeds 1.8 million hryvnia. Kostenko's actions may be classified as an offence under Article 366-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Undeclared land plots

Among the identified discrepancies is a land plot of 2,400 square metres, which belongs to Kostenko according to a state title deed from 2007. The official claims he sold it in the same year but was unable to provide supporting documents. According to expert estimates, the minimum value of the land is 250,500 hryvnia.

Accurate data was also missing for two other land plots:

• Area of 20,000 sq m – the estimated value of 154,200 hryvnia was not declared.
• Area of 679 sq m – the amount of 35,318 hryvnia is missing.

In addition, Kostenko did not include in his declaration two land plots belonging to his wife, with areas of 713 and 864 sq m, whose estimated value exceeds 200,000 hryvnia.

A house he lives in but does not declare

The asset declaration lacks information about a residential house of 113.5 sq m owned by the official's wife. Kostenko stated that he did not know its value, although official documents assess the property at 50,000 hryvnia.

Notably, the official himself admitted that he permanently resides in this house with his son, but did not specify the right to use the property in the declaration.

Manipulations with car prices

The NACP also recorded the understatement of the value of vehicles belonging to Kostenko and his family:

• Renault Captur (2018) – declared value of 670,000 hryvnia, actual price – 625,000 hryvnia.
• Toyota Land Cruiser 200 (2012) – declared amount of 740,000 hryvnia, whereas the market value is 2 million hryvnia.

The official explained the price difference for the Land Cruiser by stating that he purchased the car from a person to whom he had previously lent 33,000 US dollars. According to him, part of the car's cost was credited towards repaying the debt. However, he provided no supporting documents.

In addition, Kostenko understated the value of his wife's electric car, Volkswagen ID.4 (2021), listing 950,000 hryvnia instead of 953,692 hryvnia.

Audit results

Following the analysis of the declaration, the NACP identified discrepancies totalling over 1.8 million hryvnia. The audit materials may serve as grounds for further proceedings and holding Kostenko accountable.