Investigation: Chernihiv Oblast deputy controls agri-empire and figures in $21m case

Position and business interests

Viktor Kyianovskyi, a deputy of the Chernihiv Oblast Council who has been active in local politics since 2010, combines his official duties with control over a large-scale agribusiness. He heads the land committee of the oblast council. Meanwhile, registry data indicates significant assets associated with him and his relatives.

According to information from open registries, the deputy’s wife, Olha Kyianovska, owns over 340 real estate objects, of which more than 300 are land plots. The enterprise LLC "Ічнянське", headed by Kyianovskyi himself, manages over 4,600 individual land deeds.

Conflict with the community and court proceedings

Olena Buturlym, the mayor of Ichcha, stated that the deputy systematically files applications for the use of land but does not provide assistance to the community. LLC "Ічнянське" has already been involved in proceedings regarding the possible unlawful occupation of communal land. According to a court ruling, investigators found sown fields next to plots leased by the enterprise and applied to the court to seize the harvest.

Criminal case worth $21 million

The most resonant episode in the deputy’s biography is a criminal case for fraud within the "Зернотрейдинг" project. According to the investigation, over $21.2 million was directed to the benefit of the "Росток-Холдинг" group. Journalists established that 30% of this holding belonged to Kyianovskyi. In 2018, the court ruled to seize the corporate rights of the holding.

Links with Russia and relatives in tenders

The investigation also revealed export activity linked to the deputy. The "Ічнянський завод сухого молока та масла", associated with Kyianovskyi, exported products to Russia in 2015. Furthermore, after the start of the war in eastern Ukraine, PSP "Ічнянське" purchased Lada brand cars.

Among the historical co-founders of the deputy’s companies is Serhiy Rybachok, who was notified of suspicion of collaborationist activity by the Security Service of Ukraine in 2022.

Journalists paid particular attention to family subcontracts. The enterprise "Ічнянський бетон", linked to the deputy’s son-in-law Serhiy Yasenivka, won 15 tenders for a total amount of nearly 9 million hryvnia. Among the clients were representatives of the forestry industry.

Reaction and next steps

During filming at the deputy’s enterprise, security hindered the work of the filming crew, and police subsequently stopped the journalists twice. Viktor Kyianovskyi did not answer a phone call, so questions were sent to him in writing. The editorial team notes that it is ready to publish the position of the deputy and other individuals mentioned in the material.

The investigation continues. The editorial team calls on individuals who may be victims of land schemes or, possibly, defrauded by representatives of Kyianovskyi’s entourage (share owners, landlords, community residents) to report this via social media or a chatbot. Confidentiality of data is guaranteed.