Prosecutors of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office have sent an indictment to the court regarding a native of Lviv region – a co-owner of a hotel in occupied Yalta, who consciously collaborated with the aggressor state.

According to the investigation, after the illegal annexation of Crimea, the man, being a co-owner of the Yalta hotel, re-registered his business under Russian law, recognizing the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation.

Despite being aware of the illegality of the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, he continued his economic activities and engaged with the occupying authorities and security structures of the Russian Federation.

To maintain ownership of the real estate and generate profit, the businessman entered into contracts with the Russian National Guard units. Throughout 2023–2024, the accused systematically transferred funds to the accounts of the Russian National Guard, effectively financing the security structure that supports the occupying regime and suppresses any manifestations of pro-Ukrainian positions on the peninsula.

In addition, he paid taxes to the budget of the Russian Federation – nearly 800 thousand Russian rubles, and also received a salary in this currency. Thus, the man not only preserved his business in Crimea but also became part of the financial system of the occupier.

He is charged with financing actions aimed at the violent change of the constitutional order and the seizure of state power, as well as conducting economic activities in cooperation with the aggressor state (Part 3 of Article 110-2, Part 4 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Assets of the accused have been seized. In particular, the following have been seized:

the hotel premises in Yalta;

7 plots of land;

2 apartments in Lviv region;

5 parking spaces in Lviv;

non-residential premises;

corporate rights in companies worth over 6.5 million UAH. 

“Financing the occupying structures of the aggressor state, including the Russian National Guard, is direct support for a regime that is waging war against Ukraine. No such action will go without legal assessment. Anyone who consciously aids the enemy will bear responsibility before the law,” emphasized the prosecutor in the case, Oleg Kovalchuk.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a guilty verdict of the court.