Sokolov accuses Kalashnyk of non-payment for defensive structures in Kyiv Oblast

Businessman's accusations against Kyiv Oblast leadership

Entrepreneur Vladyslav Sokolov, whose companies are mentioned in materials regarding abuses during the construction of defensive structures for energy facilities in Kyiv Oblast, publicly shifted responsibility to the Minister for Reconstruction, Mykola Kalashnyk. Video recordings, the authenticity of which is questionable, have appeared online and in the media, in which Sokolov describes the mechanism of cooperation in detail.

Chronology of events and financial discrepancies

According to Sokolov, in November 2025, then-head of the Kyiv Oblast Military and Civil Administration, Kalashnyk, invited him to participate in the implementation of the "Company Plan". The enterprise joined the design and construction of defensive structures for substations in Novyi Petrivtsi and Borodyanka. Work was carried out in three shifts and was completed within three weeks, by the end of December.

«Калашник отримав політичні дивіденди, водночас ні за матеріали, що поставили, ні за виконані роботи не було заплечено ні копійки. У березні 2026 року Калашник сказав, що оплату за роботи зможе здійснити лише після того, як рівень захисту буде піднято до другого, що передбачає будівництво бетонного захисту товщиною 60 см. Це захищає не лише від БпЛА, але й від прильоту балістики» ("Kalashnyk received political dividends, while not a single kopeck was paid for the materials supplied or the work performed. In March 2026, Kalashnyk said that payment for the work could only be made after the level of protection was raised to the second level, which involves the construction of 60 cm thick concrete protection. This protects not only from UAVs but also from ballistic impacts"), — stated Sokolov.

The entrepreneur added that Kalashnyk proposed installing defensive structures at another 26 transformer substations in the region. In April 2026, according to Sokolov, the minister emphasised the need for urgent protection of cogeneration units to implement the "Resilience Plan", but without advance payments or contracts. These tasks were completed in 8 days, yet payment was never made.

«Протягом 2026 нами було захищено 34 когенераційних установок у Київській області. Фізичний захист 30 об'єктів трансформаторних підстанцій ПС-35, виготовлено та встановлено 69 турельних веж, виготовлено 16 вишок РЕБ в Зоні відчуження, 52-метрова вишка у Яготинському районі. За все це по сьогодні не заплачено нічого» ("During 2026, we protected 34 cogeneration units in Kyiv Oblast. Physical protection of 30 PS-35 transformer substation facilities, 69 turret towers were manufactured and installed, 16 electronic warfare towers were manufactured in the Exclusion Zone, a 52-metre tower in Yagotyn district. Nothing has been paid for all of this to date"), — emphasised the businessman.

SBU actions and the position of new leaders

Sokolov noted that the new head of the OVA, Tymur Tkachenko, said that "personally, he had not promised anything". Meanwhile, in May 2026, work began on the construction of defensive structures at substations worth 2.1 billion UAH. In June, the general contractor and design organisation received an advance payment of 580 million UAH. Sokolov, who acted as a supplier of metal products, received a prepayment of 160 million UAH, despite having supplied materials worth 726 million UAH. From August, to complete the project, he was forced to supply concrete to the facilities himself.

On 16 October, the Security Service of Ukraine conducted searches at Sokolov's place of residence and workplace, during which property and funds were seized. The entrepreneur considers the actions of the law enforcement officers unjustified.

«Калашник разом зі своїми чинами з СБУ запустили проти мене піар-кампанію. Вона орієнтована на те, щоб зробити з моєї персони цапа-відбувайла у зв'язку з критичною ситуацією в енергетиці на Київщині» ("Kalashnyk, together with his SBU officials, launched a PR campaign against me. It is aimed at making me a scapegoat in connection with the critical situation in the energy sector in Kyiv Oblast"), — claims Sokolov.

The businessman also reported that after the searches, a meeting took place at the Ministry of Infrastructure, where Kalashnyk allegedly stated that "this is only the beginning". It is evident that Sokolov participated in a corrupt scheme created by Mykola Kalashnyk. Meanwhile, the question remains open as to who actually stands behind Sokolov himself.