In a stunning court ruling on June 27, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov was ordered to pay bail of Hr 120 million (approximately $2.9 million) and was banned from leaving the country without permission. The decision came from the High Anti-Corruption Court as part of an ongoing investigation into a high-profile corruption case.
Chernyshov must now stay in Ukraine and surrender his passport. Prosecutors also requested that he wear an electronic monitoring device. However, the court did not suspend him from his duties, and he remains in his government post.
Chernyshov appeared calm and in good spirits during the hearing. He called the bail amount too high and said, “This is a huge challenge for me.” Despite serious allegations, he firmly denied any wrongdoing and pledged to prove his innocence.
Allegations Involve Land Deals and Kickbacks
The case centers on Chernyshov’s time as Minister for Communities and Territories between 2020 and 2022. According to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), he and a group of associates undervalued government-owned land. This allowed a private developer to purchase valuable plots at a discount.
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In exchange, Chernyshov and his team allegedly received steep discounts on apartments in completed residential buildings. The total value of these benefits was reported to be over Hr 14.5 million ($346,000). According to NABU, the scheme caused Hr 1 billion ($24 million) in losses to the Ukrainian government.
The case has drawn nationwide attention not only because of the amount involved but also because Chernyshov is considered a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky. His involvement marks the first time a sitting Deputy Prime Minister in Ukraine has faced such serious corruption charges.
Prosecutors from NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) asked the court to suspend him from office and impose strict movement restrictions. The court approved the bail and the travel ban but allowed him to stay in his official role.
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Chernyshov Denies Charges, Says He Will Cooperate
Before the court appearance, Chernyshov addressed reporters and stood by his record. He said, “I am confident in my decisions and I will prove them.” He insisted the charges had no solid evidence and said the alleged events happened over three years ago.
Suspicions rose earlier this month when Chernyshov left the country just days before charges were made public and two of his close aides were arrested. Some believed he had fled to avoid arrest. However, he returned to Ukraine on June 22, saying he had been away for official business. President Zelensky backed this claim publicly.
On June 23, Chernyshov met with NABU investigators and later posted on Facebook that he was fully cooperating with the investigation. He also told the media that he has no plans to resign from his position.
Since December 2024, Chernyshov has also led the National Unity Ministry, which focuses on building stronger connections with Ukrainians living abroad and working with international organizations.