Fact Check: Chernyshov received over Hr 14.5 million in kickbacks for undervalued land.

Fact Check: "Chernyshov received over Hr 14.5 million in kickbacks for undervalued land."

What We Know

Oleksiy Chernyshov, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, has been implicated in a corruption investigation. Reports indicate that he and his associates allegedly undervalued land plots by five times, resulting in significant state losses estimated at around Hr 1 billion (approximately $24 million) (Kyiv Independent, Censor.net). In return for this undervaluation, it is claimed that Chernyshov received discounted apartments valued at over Hr 14.5 million (around $346,000) (Kyiv Post, Censor.net).

The allegations stem from his tenure as the Minister of Communities and Territories from 2020 to 2022, during which he reportedly facilitated these transactions to benefit a developer identified as Serhii Kopystyra (Kyiv Independent, Kyiv Post).

Analysis

The claim that Chernyshov received over Hr 14.5 million in kickbacks is based on allegations from anti-corruption agencies in Ukraine. These agencies have stated that Chernyshov and his associates engaged in fraudulent activities that led to substantial losses for the state (Kyiv Independent, Censor.net).

However, it is crucial to note that these are allegations and have not been proven in a court of law. The reports do not confirm that the Hr 14.5 million was received as "kickbacks" in a traditional sense but rather as discounts on apartments, which could be interpreted in various ways. The distinction between a "kickback" and a legitimate discount is significant, as it impacts the legal interpretation of the actions taken by Chernyshov.

The sources reporting on this matter, such as the Kyiv Post and Kyiv Independent, are reputable news outlets that cover Ukrainian politics and corruption extensively. However, the nature of the allegations and the ongoing investigations mean that the situation is still developing, and definitive conclusions should be approached with caution (Kyiv Post, Kyiv Independent).

Conclusion

The claim that "Chernyshov received over Hr 14.5 million in kickbacks for undervalued land" is False. While there are serious allegations against him involving undervalued land transactions and receiving discounted apartments, the characterization of these transactions as "kickbacks" is not substantiated by the evidence currently available. The situation remains under investigation, and it is essential to await further legal proceedings to determine the validity of these claims.

Fact Check: Chernyshov received over Hr 14.5 million in kickbacks for undervalued land.