Investigation: Business ties and past of MP Kizlyar's bodyguard

Criminal past and early crimes

Leonid Hryhorovych Titarenko, who, according to investigation data, is responsible for the security of People's Deputy Sashko Kizlyar, has a complex biography. In his youth, he attempted to earn money in Poland, but after a failure, he returned to Khmelnytskyi. There, he got a job as a security guard in illegal gambling dens. In parallel, Titarenko engaged in other petty criminal activities, specifically arson of cars on commission.

In 2016, he moved to Kyiv. According to testimony, he came to buy a Lada Kalina car, but while inspecting the vehicle, he decided to steal it. Law enforcement officers stopped Titarenko, and he was placed in Lukianivska Pre-trial Detention Centre. However, he was soon released, as someone decided his fate in favour of his release.

Meeting the MP and subsequent incidents

In 2017, Sashko Kizlyar was developing his first project, described as a fraudulent crypto pyramid. It is believed that it was then that Kizlyar decided he needed personal security, and he met Titarenko, whom the politician considered an ideal candidate for the position.

In 2019, Leonid Titarenko led a group that staged a shootout with servicemen in Khmelnytskyi. After the incident, he hid in Vyshneve near Kyiv, where he was found and detained by law enforcement officers. Once again, Titarenko was sent to Khmelnytskyi Pre-trial Detention Centre, but was later released by Kizlyar's decision.

Business assets and property

After Titarenko's release, he was employed in the business of Maksym Huryin, who is Kizlyar's associate. Currently, Leonid Titarenko owns a 57.14% stake in Standard-Oil LLC (EDRPOU 42595188), which operates in the field of freight road transport in Khmelnytskyi. Previously, shares in this company belonged to his relative, presumably his sister Yana Hryhorivna Titarenko, and to Kizlyar himself.

In addition, the Titarenko couple, together with the MP, hold shares in Prosurov Oil LLC (EDRPOU 44274672), which deals in real estate. Leonid previously also owned a stake in Ukrstandart Oil LLC (EDRPOU 44728955), which trades in fuel.

Personal projects and public activity

Titarenko has his own business structures: Lider Trade Oil LLC (EDRPOU 46367543, fuel trade) and a 50% stake in Sparta-Guard LLC (EDRPOU 41415487), a private security service in Khmelnytskyi.

His wife, Tetyana Mykolaivna, is a co-founder of the Khmelnytskyi OK "ZhBK Romaniv Village" (EDRPOU 44314809). Leonid Titarenko is also the founder of the charitable foundation "Femeli" (EDRPOU 42786786), which has nine other co-founders, and the public organisation "Enough of Arbitrariness" (EDRPOU 43667698).