Identity of "Boxer" from NABU recordings revealed: Vitaliy Rybalko, founder of "Udar-Korosten" club

Who is the "Boxer" from the investigation recordings

Investigative journalists from the publication "MEZHA" have identified the man known by the callsign "Boxer" in the new audio recordings released by the NABU and the SAP as part of the "Carthage" operation. This is Vitaliy Serhiyovych Rybalko, an athlete from Zhytomyr Oblast who is the founder of the boxing club "Udar-Korosten".

Role in the criminal scheme

The case materials feature two executors — "Pasha" and "Boxer". According to the investigation, they carried out orders from members of the criminal organisation, dealing with people. Their actions were coordinated by the "Consultant", who was previously identified as Oleksandr Demyanchuk.

In one of the tapes, after an attack, the "Boxer" says: «Братан ну чьо, сдєлалі там тьолка била просто што люді... храпіт карочє, нормально» (Bro, well what, we did it there, the auntie just hit, that people... snore in short, normal).

Link to the Vengrin case

Journalists note that "Pasha" and "Boxer" had previously featured in the criminal case concerning the kidnapping of businessman Andriy Vengrin. It was the analysis of the materials from that investigation that allowed the probable identity of the "Boxer" to be established.

Other episodes of criminal liability

According to "MEZHA", Vitaliy Rybalko is an accused in several episodes, including:

• extortion of $500 under threats of violence;
• extortion of $5,000 for an alleged debt (during an investigative experiment, the transfer of 80,000 hryvnias was recorded);
• appropriation of service station equipment worth over 331,000 hryvnias;
• open theft of property and threats to victims.

Social media and long-standing acquaintances

Signs of a long-standing acquaintance with the "Consultant" were found in Rybalko's social media posts. In 2019, he posted photos with Russian performer Basta. That same year, he liked posts by the wife of Oleksandr Demyanchuk. According to the investigators, this indicates a long-standing acquaintance between the men.

Context: another police officer on the recordings

This is the second representative of the National Police identified on the NABU tapes. It was previously established that the callsign "Price" belongs to Volodymyr Tsenov — deputy head of the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police. According to the investigation, he facilitated the work of call centres and helped return seized equipment.

At the time of the events, the National Police was headed by Ivan Vyhivskyi, who currently holds the position of Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

Information regarding the involvement of the defendants in crimes is provided taking into account the presumption of innocence and their procedural status.