Former Prosecutor General Kravchenko, according to investigation, hiding in Vienna in complex linked to wanted Galanternyk

Link between former head of the Prosecutor General's Office and Odesa businessman

According to the materials of an investigation by journalist Mykhailo Tkach, published by the outlet "Ukrainska Pravda", former Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko may have found refuge in an elite residential complex in Vienna after fleeing Ukraine in September 2026. This property, according to the investigation, is linked to Odesa businessman Volodymyr Galanternyk, who is currently wanted.

Austrian security services, citing data from the Central Register of Residence (ZMR), confirmed that Kravchenko is officially registered at the address of this complex. Previously, a preliminary investigation established that the former Prosecutor General and his wife had indicated the address of the office of CS Corporate Services GmbH in central Vienna (Jordangasse 7/12), a company that provides legal addresses, in the register. However, new data suggests that Kravchenko may actually be staying in the complex linked to Galanternyk.

Staff testimony and incident with journalists

According to Austrian investigation data, residential complex staff reported suspicious surveillance to the police. Testimony against "Ukrainska Pravda" journalists, who were detained on 8 October during the search for Kravchenko, was provided by the assistant to the complex manager and a Mercedes driver.

The filming crew recorded this driver transporting a man who resembled Galanternyk in appearance. Sources from the outlet claim that the businessman may have been involved in a pressure campaign against NABU and SAP, in which then-Prosecutor General Kravchenko played an active role. Currently, the former official, according to investigators, is under the protection of Austrian state security and may be attempting to obtain political asylum.

Profile of the wanted businessman

Volodymyr Ilyich Galanternyk (born 1969, Odesa), known by the nickname "Lampochka", is an Odesa businessman who controlled a significant part of the local economy. His assets included the "Privoz" and "7th Kilometer" markets, the City Center shopping mall, properties in Arkadia, and others. His wealth is estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars. Since 2017, Galanternyk has resided permanently abroad, holds Israeli citizenship, and avoids publicity.

NABU and SAP have been investigating a case since 2021 regarding the creation of a criminal organisation in Odesa, which, according to the investigation, was headed by Galanternyk. This involves the illegal appropriation of land plots (including those for the Sea View, "Sky City", "Altair-3" residential complexes, and others) and abuses that caused damages to the Odesa community amounting to 689 million UAH. Among the accused are former Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov and city council officials. In 2024, the indictment was sent to the Higher Anti-Corruption Court; a trial in absentia was permitted. Galanternyk has been declared wanted (nationally and internationally), and the HACC chose preventive measures in the form of detention. He is hiding abroad — his presence has previously been recorded in Vienna (including meetings at Park Hyatt), London, and Haifa.

Circumstances of Kravchenko's flight and Operation "Carthage"

Ruslan Kravchenko left Ukraine on the night of 13–14 September against the backdrop of the NABU and SAP operation "Carthage". Anti-corruption bodies uncovered a scheme of "protection" for fraudulent call centres in the Prosecutor General's Office: officials (including Serhiy Kropyva under the pseudonym "Chancellor") allegedly received bribes and laundered funds. The total amount of documented illicit benefit exceeds 1 billion UAH.

Kravchenko resigned, signed the suspicion against NABU Director Semen Kryvonos, and did not return from a business trip. Later, he accused NABU, SAP, and the President's Office of preparing "violent actions" against him in Austria (citing the detention of GUR fighters); NABU called this an attempt to secure protection abroad.

Investigation of the 8 October incident

The detention of Mykhailo Tkach and operator Yaroslav Bondarenko on 8 October (with the use of force, and accusations of espionage for Ukrainian intelligence, which were not confirmed) occurred against the backdrop of surveillance of a location controlled by other Ukrainians. Tkach linked the testimony to Kravchenko's entourage.

"Ukrainska Pravda" journalists continue to clarify the circumstances: who exactly provided testimony to the Austrian police, whether there was a provocation, and what the real links are between the former Prosecutor General and the wanted businessman. Both figures are outside Ukraine, which complicates both the Ukrainian investigation and possible extradition.