Representatives of a cottage town in Kyiv Oblast blocked journalists' car

New incident obstructing media work

The story concerning the probable illegal extraction of minerals on the territory of the "Mizhrichchia" cottage town in Vyshhorod district of Kyiv Oblast has taken a new turn. The "Stop Corruption TV" filming crew returned to the location to carry out an editorial assignment and monitor the situation. However, representatives of the developer engaged in actions aimed at obstructing the journalists' professional activities.

During an attempt to leave the territory, the media personnel's vehicle was physically blocked. The car was squeezed from both sides by other vehicles, completely preventing it from exiting. A man who approached the filming crew refused to comment on who specifically ordered the blockage and ignored the journalists' questions. Other representatives of the cottage town present began hiding from the cameras.

Dialogue between a journalist and a developer representative

One of the representatives, approaching the group, categorically refused to communicate and demanded that filming stop. He stated: "Я не даю згоду на зйомку" (I do not give consent to filming).

In response, the journalist emphasised the legality of their actions: "Я журналіст. Маю право вас знімати під час редакційного завдання" (I am a journalist. I have the right to film you during an editorial assignment). Despite this, the man did not provide an answer to the direct question about who issued the order to block the exit.

Statement on the systemic nature of violations

Investigative journalists note that the owners of the "Mizhrichchia" cottage town continue to conduct sand filling and sales on an industrial scale without a special permit for mineral extraction. They justify their actions by the need to reinforce banks and drain plots; however, according to the media, this is effectively commercial activity.

"Stop Corruption TV" highlighted the systematic nature of the violations by the developer:

"Власники даного котеджного містечка намивають пісок в промислових масштабах без спеціального дозволу на видобування такої корисної копалини, прикриваючи це тим, що вони нібито осушують ділянки землі та підсипають береги там, де це потрібно. Хоча фактично вони займаються збутом піску та іншими неправомірними діями" (The owners of this cottage town are filling in sand on an industrial scale without a special permit for the extraction of such a mineral, covering this up by claiming that they are supposedly draining land plots and reinforcing banks where necessary. Although in fact they are engaged in the sale of sand and other unlawful actions).

Police called to the scene

Due to the obstruction of lawful professional activities and the detention of the car, the journalists called the police directly to the scene today.

Context: previous events and criminal proceedings

Previously, on 28 September 2026, "StopKor" published a material on the possible illegal extraction of minerals in "Mizhrichchia". At that time, journalists recorded the operation of special equipment and the removal of sand despite an open criminal case. The called investigative and operational group did not arrive at the scene.

Taking advantage of the absence of law enforcement officers, the violators probably stole the seized special vehicle (excavator). The media personnel were forced to personally go to the Vyshhorod district police department, where they filed a report on the obstruction of journalistic activity. Information about this has been entered into the Unified Register of Pretrial Investigations under No. EO 21076 dated 28.09.2026.

At that time, a man who identified himself as the owners' lawyer explained the conduct of the works as protection of the territory from flooding, claiming the existence of a corresponding project. At the same time, no permit documents were provided to the journalists. The media also reported restrictions on access to the work site and enhanced security of the territory.