Ukraine detains Konovalenko associates who demanded $40,000 from businessman

Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have detained several individuals linked to the circle of Oleh Konovalenko, the former deputy head of the Zakarpattia Regional Department for Combating Organized Crime (UBOZ). According to journalist Vitaliy Hlahola, the suspects demanded 40,000 dollars from a local entrepreneur, claiming it was the repayment of a debt that did not actually exist.

Vitaliy Hlahola published information about the detention and case details, citing his own sources.

Application of pressure

According to the journalist, to force the businessman to hand over the money, the men threatened him with physical execution, as well as damage or destruction of his property.

The individuals in question are from Oleh Konovalenko's entourage. The former deputy head of the Zakarpattia UBOZ, according to Hlahola's information, is currently outside Ukraine. The journalist claims that Konovalenko is hiding from justice in Hungary. There is currently no official confirmation of these data.

Context: previous scandals

Oleh Konovalenko's name has already been mentioned in the public space of Zakarpattia on more than one occasion. He worked as the deputy head of the UBOZ in the region and in 2015 became the head of the Zakarpattia Athletics Federation.

In May 2024, Vitaliy Hlahola published a video recording showing Konovalenko, then the head of the regional federation, training in an Olympic-style top with the word RUSSIA written on the back.

In another video, Konovalenko spoke about Zakarpattia in Russian, using the phrase about the need to "separate" it.

The reaction from the Ukrainian Athletics Federation was harsh: the organisation called these videos disgraceful and appealed to law enforcement and security services to provide a legal assessment of Konovalenko's actions.

Now, according to the journalist, law enforcement officers have detained people from his entourage in a case involving the extortion of 40,000 dollars.

Details of the detention, the names of the suspects, and their roles in the possible scheme have not yet been disclosed. Information about the connection between the detained individuals and Konovalenko, as well as the circumstances of his stay abroad, also requires official confirmation.

If law enforcement officials officially announce the suspicions and the legal qualification of the detained individuals' actions, this data will be updated.