Serhiy Vitaliiovych Kurchenko (, In Russia: Sergey Vitaliovich Kurchenko; born 21 September 1985) is a former Ukrainian,
Russia
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
n businessman and founder/owner of the group of companies "Gas Ukraine 2009" specializing in trading of
liquefied natural gas
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas (predominantly methane, CH4, with some mixture of ethane, C2H6) that has been cooled to liquid form for ease and safety of non-pressurized storage or transport. It takes up about 1/600th the volume o ...
. Kurchenko is also the former owner and president of
FC Metalist Kharkiv
Football Club Metalist Kharkiv, also known as Football Club Metalist Kharkov or FC Metalist Kharkov ( ), is a Ukrainian professional Association football, football club based in Kharkiv that plays in the Ukrainian First League during the 2023– ...
and the Ukrainian Media Holding group. Kurchenko left Ukraine in February 2014 for Russia. Since March 2014 Kurchenko has been on the international wanted list,Court grants prosecutor's request for Ukrainian fugitive businessman Kurchenko's arrest
Interfax-Ukraine
Interfax-Ukraine () is a Ukrainian news agency. Founded in 1992, the company publishes in Ukrainian, Russian, English and German.
The company owns a 50-seat press centre.
The staff of the agency is 105 people (as of the end of February 2022)
...
(5 January 2017) and his property and other assets have been arrested. Until the end of 2012 information about Kurchenko was scarce and it surfaced with a scandal around the sale of
FC Metalist Kharkiv
Football Club Metalist Kharkiv, also known as Football Club Metalist Kharkov or FC Metalist Kharkov ( ), is a Ukrainian professional Association football, football club based in Kharkiv that plays in the Ukrainian First League during the 2023– ...
. In October 2017, a Ukrainian court confiscated Metalist Kharkiv from Kurchenko and placed it under
state property
State ownership, also called public ownership or government ownership, is the ownership of an industry, asset, property, or enterprise by the national government of a country or state, or a public body representing a community, as opposed to ...
The Ukrainian Week
''The Ukrainian Week'' (, ) is an illustrated weekly magazine and news outlet covering politics, economics and the arts and aimed at the socially engaged Ukrainian-language reader. It provides a range of analysis, opinion, interviews, feature p ...
Crimea
Crimea ( ) is a peninsula in Eastern Europe, on the northern coast of the Black Sea, almost entirely surrounded by the Black Sea and the smaller Sea of Azov. The Isthmus of Perekop connects the peninsula to Kherson Oblast in mainland Ukrain ...
under the auspices of the FSB.
Early life and education
Kurchenko was born 21 September 1985 into a low-income family in
Kharkiv
Kharkiv, also known as Kharkov, is the second-largest List of cities in Ukraine, city in Ukraine.
, Saltivka residential neighborhood. From 1992 to 2002 he attended secondary school number 122. From 2002 to 2006 he attended National Technical University
Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute
The Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute ( KhPI, full official title National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute", , НТУ "ХПІ") is a public technical university in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Founded in 1885, it is the second-oldest ...
studying Economics and Entrepreneurship. He graduated with a Bachelor in Accounting and Auditing, followed by studies in "Intellectual Property" from 2006 to 2008 resulting in a master's degree. From 2009 to 2011 he attended National University Yaroslav the Wise Law Academy of Ukraine graduating with a law degree.
Teachers and classmates described him as a closed and restrained person. Employees described him as communicable, but not striking.
Career
Kurchenko started working as a courier for
Naftogaz
Naftogaz of Ukraine (, ''Naftogaz Ukrainy''; literally "Naphtha-Gas of Ukraine") is the largest national oil and gas company of Ukraine. It is a state-owned company
, Ukraine's national oil and gas company, when he was 16. Per his official biography he advanced to deputy commercial director, by reorganizing the wholesale of liquefied gas within two years. Implementation of his projects increased Ekspogaz's profits. Kurchenko left Ekspogaz and started his own business in 2005 at the age of 19 years.
His official biography on "Metalist" states "The experience and attracted financing allowed him to carry out a few successful investment projects in the primary market building and the land market in the Kharkiv region. From 2005 to 2008, prior to the
2008 financial crisis
The 2008 financial crisis, also known as the global financial crisis (GFC), was a major worldwide financial crisis centered in the United States. The causes of the 2008 crisis included excessive speculation on housing values by both homeowners ...
, prices on the real estate market in Ukraine rose more than 30% per year." The biography does not mention any projects or the name of his firm.
Gaz Ukraine 2009
In 2009, Kurchenko founded a group of companies named "Gas Ukraine 2009". The group includes 55 companies of diverse activities, and all are registered in Kharkiv region and the
Autonomous Republic of Crimea
The Autonomous Republic of Crimea is a ''de jure'' administrative division of Ukraine encompassing most of Crimea that was unilaterally annexed by Russia in 2014. The Autonomous Republic of Crimea occupies most of the peninsula,Yuriy Syrotyuk, the deputy of
Svoboda
Svoboda () means "freedom" in various Slavic languages. It may refer to:
People
* Svoboda (surname)
Organizations Media
* Radio Svoboda, operated by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
* ''Svoboda'' (newspaper), a daily Ukrainian language newspa ...
party, Gaz Ukraine 2009 monopolized the Ukrainian liquefied gas market and smuggled gasoline with interrupted transit and fake exports schemes in 2009.
FC Metalist Kharkiv
Football Club Metalist Kharkiv, also known as Football Club Metalist Kharkov or FC Metalist Kharkov ( ), is a Ukrainian professional Association football, football club based in Kharkiv that plays in the Ukrainian First League during the 2023– ...
to Kurchenko. The sale appeared hurried and was realized against the background of the conflict between the government of Kharkiv and the former co-owner of the Metalist stadium. Per the FC Metalist press-office Kurchenko met with head coach Myron Markevich, General Director Sergei Volik and Sport Director Eugene Krasnikov on 30 December 2012, in the office of ''Gas Ukraine 2009'' in Kyiv.
Ivan Savvidis, the controlling shareholder of Greek FC PAOK, suggested that Kurchenko was not the owner of FC Metalist. When a journalist for ''The View'' newspaper asked about a game of chess with the owner of Metalist, Savvidis responded that he plays only with the real owners. He said, "Who is the true owner of Metalist? Come on, I know a little more than you think."
Early October 2017, a Ukrainian court confiscated Metalist Kharkiv from Kurchenko and placed it under
state property
State ownership, also called public ownership or government ownership, is the ownership of an industry, asset, property, or enterprise by the national government of a country or state, or a public body representing a community, as opposed to ...
.
VETEK group of companies
On 22 February 2013, the press-service of the group of companies "Gas Ukraine 2009" announced the formation of a new group of companies "East European Energy Company." (VETEK) consisting of two major companies LLC "VETEK" and LLC "VETEK." and others, with Kurchenko controlling the development strategy of the new group.
On 26 February 2013, the VETEK group of companies bought 99.6% of the Odesa refinery's shares from Lukoil. Despite the plant's opening ceremony on 29 March 2013 it has not been operating.
On 21 June 2013, VETEK group announced the purchase of Ukrainian Media Holding (
UMH group
UMH group (United Media Holding group) is an international multimedia group. It controls a portfolio of over 50 brands in Internet, radio and press markets, covering news, politics, business, sports, fashion, celebrity and TV. The portfolio incl ...
) which manages more than 50 media brands in Ukraine, including
Forbes
''Forbes'' () is an American business magazine founded by B. C. Forbes in 1917. It has been owned by the Hong Kong–based investment group Integrated Whale Media Investments since 2014. Its chairman and editor-in-chief is Steve Forbes. The co ...
,
Vogue
Vogue may refer to:
Business
* ''Vogue'' (magazine), a US fashion magazine
** British ''Vogue'', a British fashion magazine
** '' Vogue Adria'', a fashion magazine for former Yugoslav countries
** ''Vogue Arabia'', an Arab fashion magazine
** ' ...
, Reporter,
Focus (Ukrainian magazine)
''Focus'' (, ) is a Ukrainian national weekly news magazine, published in Kyiv. The magazine's motto: "Every detail has a meaning".
Overview
The launch of ''Focus'' magazine on 30 September 2006 was intended to fill the native news magazine m ...
Europa Plus
Europa Plus () is a Russian commercial radio station. It is owned by the European Media Group and started broadcasting on 30 April 1990 in the Soviet Union. The station primarily plays hot AC and Top 40 music.
Europa Plus spans across Russia, ...
Komsomolskaya Pravda in Ukraine
''Korotko Pro'' ( cyrl, Коротко про; ), formerly ''KP in Ukraine'' (; ) is a Ukraine, Ukrainian newspaper in Kyiv, the nation's capital. It is a Ukrainian language newspaper. Following the 24 February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine th ...
and others, with 4,000 employees in 42 offices in Russia and Ukraine at a 2011 revenue of $138 million. Although the founder of UMH,
Boris Lozhkin
Boris Yevhenovych Lozhkin (; born October 23, 1971) is a Ukrainian businessperson and philanthropist. He is the President of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine, Vice-president of the World Jewish Congress
The World Jewish Congress (WJC) ...
, declared that the transaction was of a commercial nature, some commentators suggested that the information field for 2015 would be cleared for the benefit of the VETEK group. The chief editor of Forbes Ukraine, Vladimir Fedorin, suspected that the sale of Forbes Ukraine would end it in its current form and that the buyer intended to silence journalists before the presidential election, to whitewash his own reputation, or use the edition to resolve the issues that do not have anything to do with the media business.
On 23 August 2013, Kurchenko met with the editors of Ukrainian Media Holding and presented a new structure named VETEK Media. Kurchenko stated, "VETEK Media is one of the directions of our business. We will continue our development in Ukraine, Russia and Europe. Today the main asset of media direction is UMH."
On 17 July 2013, Kurchenko bought 80% of the shares Brockbusinessbank VETEK. The bank's Chief of its board of directors is Boris Timonkin, and Igor Franzkevich is chairman of the board. Brokbusinessbank manages a significant amount of payroll projects, particularly the accounts by the
Ukrainian Interior Ministry
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (; ; ) is the ministry of the Ukrainian government that oversees the interior affairs of Ukraine.
History
Name
*People's Committee of Internal Affairs of the Ukrainian SSR (1919–1930, regional au ...
.
On 28 August 2013, Kurchenko bought the Metalist stadium. He paid ₴674,522,000, which was ₴84 more than the start price. The club stated, "The only participant of the contest was SK Metalist Stadium, which is part of the football club Metalist, owned by Serhiy Kurchenko."
Forbes Media
''Forbes'' () is an American business magazine founded by B. C. Forbes in 1917. It has been owned by the Hong Kong–based investment group Integrated Whale Media Investments since 2014. Its chairman and editor-in-chief is Steve Forbes. The c ...
revoked the local publication license to Forbes Ukraine in August 2015.
In December 2017 Kyiv's Pechersky District Court seized corporate and intellectual rights along with part of the real estate owned by UMH holding. According to court the assets are related to the crimes committed by former president
Viktor Yanukovych
Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych (born 9 July 1950) is a Ukrainian politician who served as the fourth president of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014. He also served as the prime minister of Ukraine several times between 2002 and 2007 and was a member of t ...
and are involved in misappropriation of property or embezzlement via abuse of office by an organized group, as well as money laundering.Kyiv's court rules to seize fugitive oligarch Kurchenko's UMH assets
UNIAN
The Ukrainian Independent Information Agency of News () is a Kyiv-based Ukraine, Ukrainian news agency. It produces and provides political, business and financial information, and a photo reporting service. As of October 2022, it was the most v ...
(28 December 2017)
Corruption allegations
Media have described Kurchenko as the "wizard of gaz", the "gas king of Ukraine" and "business sensation of Ukraine 2012". He gives no interviews, no live comments, and makes no appearances on open business forums, releasing only prepared press releases.
According to investigative journalists, Kurchenko's achievements in the trade of liquefied natural gas, oil products and products for the oil and gas industry resulted from his connections to high-ranking officials in the government of Ukraine, namely Artem Pshonka, the son of former Prosecutor General of Ukraine and Party of regions MP Viktor Pshonka and
Oleksandr Yanukovych
Oleksandr Viktorovych Yanukovych (; born July 10, 1973, in DonetskViktor Yanukovych
Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych (born 9 July 1950) is a Ukrainian politician who served as the fourth president of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014. He also served as the prime minister of Ukraine several times between 2002 and 2007 and was a member of t ...
. Further connections are Serhiy Arbuzov, first Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Alexander Klimenko, Ministry of Finance (Ukraine). Kurchenko has denied these connections.Dmitry Firtash's companies allegedly provided cheap gas for Kurchenko to sell.
In exile
Following the 22 February 2014 impeachment of former president Viktor Yanukovych, Kurchenko and 17 other individuals like relatives, prominent businessmen and former senior officials considered close to Yanukovich became subject of a European Union asset freeze effective 6 March 2014. Kurchenko had left Ukraine the previous month and moved to Russia; his press spokesman released a statement to the ''
Financial Times
The ''Financial Times'' (''FT'') is a British daily newspaper printed in broadsheet and also published digitally that focuses on business and economic Current affairs (news format), current affairs. Based in London, the paper is owned by a Jap ...
'' saying, "I am an honest Ukrainian businessman. I am ready to provide all the necessary documents and to give any assistance to the EU inspection bodies in order to prove my innocence." Later it was revealed that he left for Russia. A warrant for his arrest was issued in Ukraine on 20 March 2014. Since the same month Kurchenko has been on the international wanted list. Since then his property and other assets have been seized. He was also put on the US and EUsanctions list.
According to Ukraine's general prosecutor, Kurchenko is under investigation for failing to pay $130 million in tax and the theft of $180 million from bank investors. He is also accused of buying
liquefied gas
Liquefied gas (sometimes referred to as liquid gas) is a gas that has been turned into a liquid by cooling or compressing it. Examples of liquefied gases include liquid air, liquefied natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas.
Liquid air
At the ...
at specialized auctions at a discounted price (allegedly to provide for the needs of the public). According to Ukrainian prosecutors this liquefied gas was then sold to Kurchenko-controlled business entities at market prices.
In December 2017 the
National Police of Ukraine
The National Police of Ukraine (, ; /NPU ), often simply referred to as the (), is the national, and only, police service of Ukraine. It was formed on 3 July 2015, as part of the post-Euromaidan reforms launched by Ukrainian president Petro Por ...
arrested
Mikheil Saakashvili
Mikheil "Misha" Saakashvili (born 21 December 1967) is a Georgian and Ukrainian politician and jurist. He was the third president of Georgia for two consecutive terms from 25 January 2004 to 17 November 2013. He is the founder and former chair ...
accusing him of being financed by a "criminal group" linked to Yanukovych and Kurchenko. It was claimed that this group was orchestrating a Russian government backed campaign to seize power in Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian and Russian media Kurchenko owns the coal company Vneshtorgservis in Ukraine's separatist entities
Donetsk People's Republic
The Donetsk People's Republic (DPR; , ) is Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, occupied territory in Ukraine that the Russian Federation has claimed to annex and declared as a Republics of Russia, republic of Russia, comprising parts o ...
and
Luhansk People's Republic
The Luhansk People's Republic (LPR; , ) is a disputed territory administered as a republic of Russia in the occupied parts of eastern Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast, with its capital in Luhansk. The LPR was proclaimed by Russian-backed paramilitar ...
that emerged in the ongoing
War in Donbass
The war in Donbas, or the Donbas war, was a phase of the Russo-Ukrainian War in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine. The war began in April 2014, when Russian paramilitaries seized several towns. Ukraine's military launched an operation ...
. It has been reported that this company owes massive debts to local coal mines and other local companies.The age of marauders The Ukrainian Week (2 February 2020)
Kurchenko moved to luxurious are of Rublyovka, near Moscow, where he has a mansion worth of 2.1 billion rubles. In 2017, Kurchenko had already an active business life in Moscow visited and periodically visited the presidential administration and the Russian government, the offices of Rosneft, Lukoil, Gazprombank, VTB, the First Czech-Russian Bank, Roscosmos. His office located in Moscow City. He took active participation in "Committee for the Rescue of Ukraine" and met regularly former pro-Russian deputies of the Verkhovna Rada Elena Bondarenko and
Vladimir Saldo
Vladimir Vasilyevich Saldo (, ; born 12 June 1956) is a Ukrainian and Russian politician serving as the acting Collaboration with Russia during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, collaborationist Governor of Kherson Oblast (Russia), governo ...
, who in 2022 became the civilian leader of Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast.
'' The Insider'' told in October 2023 that Kurchenko is the mainly sponsor of FSB General Vladimir Petrovsky, who serves as the First Deputy Head of the FSB's Fifth Service Operational Information Department and leads Ninth ("Ukrainian") Directorate.
Kurchenko gained exclusive access to Ukrainian assets in the occupied territories with his ties with the FSB. He runs business in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, including Crimea where he deals with various commodities like oil products. From
Donbas
The Donbas (, ; ) or Donbass ( ) is a historical, cultural, and economic region in eastern Ukraine. The majority of the Donbas is occupied by Russia as a result of the Russo-Ukrainian War.
The word ''Donbas'' is a portmanteau formed fr ...
Kurchenko exports coal.
Kurchenko got married in Moscow in 2023. Among the wedding guests were for example Ksenia Sobchak.
Sanctions
He was sanctioned by the UK government in 2022 in relation to the
Russo-Ukrainian War
The Russo-Ukrainian War began in February 2014 and is ongoing. Following Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity, Russia Russian occupation of Crimea, occupied and Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, annexed Crimea from Ukraine. It then ...
.
In January 2023 Japan imposed sanctions on Serhiy Kurchenko.
See also
*
List of fugitives from justice who disappeared
This is a list of fugitives from justice, notable people who disappeared or evaded capture while being sought by law enforcement agencies in connection with a crime, and who are currently sought or were sought for the duration of their presumed ...