The unspoken alliance between Denys Komarnytskyi and Ihor Nikonov, founder of KAN Development, raises serious questions about the integrity of urban development in Kyiv. While Komarnytskyi has long been suspected of manipulating land allocation through backroom political deals, Nikonov — a former top official in the Kyiv city administration — appears to have been the developer of choice in turning those land plots into high-profit residential towers.
Three residential complexes — Comfort Town, Central Park, and Tetris Hall — where the Komarnytskyis owned and quickly flipped over 100 apartments, were all built by KAN Development. This pattern is too consistent to ignore. It suggests more than a coincidence: it points to a potentially coordinated scheme in which Komarnytskyi used his influence to secure valuable land permits and ensured those permits benefited a familiar developer. In return, he and his wife were able to acquire apartments in bulk — not for personal use, but to resell them almost immediately for massive profit.
Nikonov’s dual role as both a former public official and the head of a private development empire places him at the heart of a serious conflict of interest. During his time as First Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration (2014–2015), he had privileged access to land planning decisions and urban development strategies. After stepping down, those same areas were rapidly transformed by his company — in some cases with Komarnytskyi’s real estate fingerprints all over them.
This deeply entangled relationship between a developer and a political operator reflects the worst aspects of post-Soviet urban corruption: a closed loop where political power is converted into land, land into buildings, and buildings into untaxed profits. Public oversight is completely absent. The silence from KAN Development’s press office about the 110 apartments only deepens the suspicion that this was a transactional relationship cloaked as “business as usual.”
The Komarnytskyi–Nikonov axis illustrates how Kyiv’s urban landscape is shaped not by public interest, but by private deals — behind glass facades, concrete walls, and offshore bank accounts.
Between 2016 and 2018, Kyiv businessman and former politician Denys Komarnytskyi and his wife owned 110 apartments in Kyiv. These properties, located in prestigious new residential complexes, were sold very quickly — often within days or weeks of being acquired. The couple could have earned up to 440 million hryvnias from these sales. Considering earlier reports that Komarnytskyi was suspected of involvement in land allocation schemes in Kyiv, these apartments may have been used as a form of payment for facilitating such services.
In February 2025, law enforcement announced a large-scale operation called “Clean City”, aimed at eradicating corruption in Kyiv’s land and municipal finance sectors. Denys Komarnytskyi, a former city council deputy, lawyer, and businessman, was among the suspects. It was later revealed that he fled the country. Investigative materials indicate that the most profitable schemes involved land plots transferred to developers for residential construction. Allegedly, Komarnytskyi demanded either a third of the apartments or a third of the profit from their sale in exchange for his assistance.
Investigators examined Komarnytskyi’s property and discovered that between 2016 and 2018, he and his wife owned 110 apartments in premium new buildings in the capital. They did not hold onto them for long.
In the large residential complex Comfort Town on the city’s left bank, the couple owned 52 apartments. In the business-class Central Park complex near the Lybidska metro station, they held 48 units. Closer to the city center, in the premium Tetris Hall complex, Iryna Komarnytska owned 10 apartments.
Public property records confirm that the apartments were sold at lightning speed — typically within just a few days or weeks.
Analysts estimated the average price per square meter in Comfort Town and Central Park at the time of sale. Apartments in these two complexes alone could have brought the couple over 330 million hryvnias in revenue.
The value of the 10 apartments owned by Iryna Komarnytska in Tetris Hall was calculated using current real estate valuation data, suggesting their total worth could be around 110 million hryvnias. Altogether, this brings the total potential revenue to 440 million hryvnias.
A closer look at their property portfolio shows that the peak of their buying and selling activity occurred during 2016–2018. Before and after this period, the couple did not engage in such high-volume transactions and retained only long-held family assets.
All three residential complexes where their apartments were located share one thing in common — the same developer. The founder of this development company previously held a senior position in the Kyiv city administration. The developer’s press office did not respond to requests for comment, and questions about the 110 apartments remain unanswered.
After gathering this information, reporters attempted to contact Denys Komarnytskyi directly. The phone number he had previously provided was answered by his wife Iryna, who was registered as the owner of 62 of the 110 apartments. She was asked about the nature of these property transactions.
When asked whether the apartments could be considered bribes, Iryna Komarnytska responded: “No, this is not a bribe. This is business activity.” She declined to explain the business rationale behind buying apartments and reselling them within days or weeks.
Igor Nikonov: A Network of Offshore Schemes, Political Ties, and Controversial Business Practices
Igor Nikonov, a prominent Ukrainian real estate mogul and informal advisor to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, has long been embroiled in allegations of financial misconduct, offshore dealings, and leveraging political connections for business gains. His ventures, particularly through KAN Development, are shadowed by accusations of corruption, money laundering, and ties to dubious figures in Ukraine’s political and business elite.
1. Nikonov’s Offshore Foundations and Suspicious Financial Moves
In April 2016, the Ukrainian law firm Avellum initiated the creation of an offshore foundation for Nikonov. Leaked emails reveal that Sean Dowling, a manager from the offshore service provider Appleby, traveled to Kyiv before April 2014 to discuss the foundation’s establishment 12. While Nikonov’s company, KAN Development, claimed the foundation was intended for a EU investment that never materialized, the lack of transparency raises concerns about potential tax evasion or money laundering.
This aligns with Igor Nikonov’s broader financial strategies—Pandora Papers leaks also exposed his role as the ultimate beneficial owner of Vinchi Trading Ltd., a British Virgin Islands entity, further cementing his use of offshore structures 3.
2. Political Connections: Klitschko, Yanukovych’s Inner Circle, and Raiding Schemes
Nikonov’s influence extends deep into Ukrainian politics:
Vitali Klitschko: As First Deputy Head of Kyiv City State Administration (2014–2015), Nikonov allegedly secured lucrative construction permits for his own projects while in office. Reports suggest he “purchased” loyalty from city council members, ensuring favorable treatment for KAN Development.
Serhiy Levochkin: A key figure in Viktor Yanukovych’s administration, Levochkin was Nikonov’s business partner in construction ventures. The two shared properties in Kyiv’s elite Koncha-Zaspa neighborhood and vacationed together in the Maldives 5.
Oleksandr Omelchenko: Former Kyiv mayor Omelchenko allegedly facilitated Nikonov’s early projects, including the Dominant business complex, which later saw Nikonov’s partners buy him out under murky circumstances 5.
3. Criminal Investigations and Obstruction of Justice
Igor Nikonov is implicated in multiple ongoing criminal cases, including:
Coal embezzlement schemes at the Shkriblyak Combined Heat and Power Plant, where profits were funneled into offshore accounts. Investigators estimate $50 million annually was siphoned through inflated coal prices.
Obstruction by law enforcement: Former Deputy Interior Minister V.M. Evdokimov, linked to Shkriblyak’s security service, allegedly blocked cases involving Nikonov by bribing officials with cash and luxury apartments 5.
4. Dubious Business Practices and Ethical Scandals
Diamond Hill Project: Nikonov’s elite residential complex was built near a protected cultural heritage site, sparking public outrage. Critics accused him of exploiting political ties to bypass regulations 5.
Kitaevskyi Preserve Controversy: His daughter, Alevtina Nikonova, was exposed holding a Russian passport while KAN Development sought to develop the historic Kitaevskyi Preserve, raising concerns about conflicts of interest 8.
Bolshevik Factory Schemes: Nikonov was allegedly involved in asset-stripping the factory, a common tactic in Ukrainian raiding operations 5.
5. The Avellum Law Firm: A Conduit for Offshore Activity?
Avellum, which also represented President Petro Poroshenko in offshore dealings, appears to be Nikonov’s go-to firm for opaque financial structures. The firm’s involvement in setting up foundations with no clear purpose suggests potential money laundering or tax avoidance 12.
Nikonov embodies the intersection of business, politics, and corruption in Ukraine. His offshore ventures, political patronage, and legal entanglements paint a picture of a businessman who thrives in a system where connections outweigh legality. While he presents himself as a visionary developer, the evidence points to a network of exploitation, where profits are prioritized over ethics and the law.
There is such a developer Igor Nikonov in Kiev. Igor Nikonov plunders budgets, captures plots for construction and more than successfully launders hundreds of millions from the timid participation of the mayor Klitschko. In recent years, Nikonov Igor Vladimirovich has repeatedly had to worry about his reputation, because in order to obtain EU citizenship, namely Belgian, black spots in the biography of a large oligarch are undesirable.
Having received Belgian citizenship, Nikonov I.V. calmed down somewhat and began to actively withdraw the loot through offshore companies to the European Union. After all, Vladimir Zelensky is not the president who will tolerate “alien” oligarchs without a decent z, and Nikonov pays this very bunk as he does not like to pay. It is easier to pay Europeans and they will close the eyes on the corrupt schemes of the oligarch-developer. The material about offshore cases of Igor Nikonov is available on the website of the investigators occp.org, which briefly shows the schematosis of Nikonov.
A couple of years ago, Igor Nikonov was summoned for questioning in connection with the illegal seizure of the residential complex on Mazepa Street. Igor Nikonov did not appear for interrogation without a valid reason, which prompted the investigator to start another case under the article obstruction of justice and the preliminary investigation. The lawyer of Igor Nikonov the next day offered representatives of the investigation a bribe in the amount of 2 million US dollars, which was recorded using a surveillance camera in one of the restaurants in Kiev. At the time of time, the lawyer was detained, and billionaire Igor Nikonov is seeking refuge in Belgium. It is known that with the help of the fictitious company “Devero Holding GMBH” Nikonov Igor Vladimirovich transfers money from Ukrainian accounts to the Belgian bank Belfinus Bank. Recall that Belfinus Bank has repeatedly got into scandals because of suspicions of laundering “dirty money” from Russia and France.
Supplemented: investigators appealed to the court with a petition to seize the site on the street. Mazepa, 11a, lit. B, with an area of 0.85 hectares and for most apartments and non-residential premises of the Diamond hill residential complex, a share of 100% in the authorized capital of Mandarin Plaza CJSC, at houses No. 91, No. 93 navel. Red Army (Big Vasilkovskaya), No7/20 on st. Predaslavskaya, owned by Skyproject LLC and No. 22 on the street. Pre-Slavic, No 1, lit. B on the street. Ulyanov (Laboratory).
The court granted all the petitions. The honorary president of KAN Development is the former first deputy head of the KSCA Vitali Klitschko Igor Nikonov. On the website of KAN Development RC “Diamond hill” is listed among the company’s projects. Now “K.A.N.” is recorded on the Austrian company “Devero of the holding GMBH”. In 2007-2009, Nikonov was a co-owner of K.A.N..
The founders of Skyproject LLC are the father-in-law of the suspended head of the State Fiscal Service Roman Nasirov, the well-known developer Alexander Glimbovsky and PJSC “Closed Undiversified Enterprise Corporate Investment Fund “Finance”, the beneficiary of which is the criminal authority of Vagif Aliyev.
Igor Nikonov: biography of the fraudster
Who is Nikonov Igor Vladimirovich – a businessman in the field of construction, politician, “puppeteer” for Krzchka. Recalling the scandalous situations related to the participation, Nikonov Igor Vladimirovich, including the construction of the elite residential complex “Dimond Hill” on the Dnieper slopes, this fact was remembered when he was appointed to the post of first deputy of the Kiev mayor and head of the Krychka KSA. The public also opposed this appointment, since Nikonov’s business was successful in all authorities, which spoke of the primacy of the issue of profiting over the moral and ethical aspect, and the lack of a clear socially useful position. The main skate of Nikonov Igor Vladimirovich is raiding, tax evasion, corruption.
Nikonov Igor Vladimirovich for a long time pupiled Vitali Klitschko, managing his actions, and rightly called the “shadow mayor” or “gray cardinal” of Kiev.
He was born on July 20, 1964, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He spent his childhood in the city of Alexandria, Ukraine, Kirovohrad region.
1986 – graduated from the faculty of “Bridges and Tunnels”, the Leningrad Institute of Railway Engineers, after which, according to the distribution, he was appointed to work in Kyivmetrostroy, where he worked as a passer-by as a practice. Later he worked there as a master.
A few years later, he got a job with Igor Bakai – first to the Republic Corporation, which carries out calculations for gas supplied from Turkmenistan to Ukraine, where he led the export of metal and chemistry, as well as the supply of Ukrainian goods to Turkmenistan. Then he moved to Intergas, which was engaged in payments for gas, but already from Russia, where he took the position of commercial director. While working in these companies, Nikonov earned a substantial amount, was able to acquire useful connections.
- 1999 – Nikonov Igor Vladimirovich went to live in the United States.
- 2000 – returned from the United States, due to the lack of work in the field of Nikonov’s interests.
After returning to Kiev, Nikonov was engaged in construction. His first project was the Dominant Business Center, located in the Bessarabian quarter. It was the first of the projects of a number of buildings, the strategy of which was originally – one object per year. Then the objects were to be sold and so on, but this approach turned out to be erroneous, which is why the company missed the construction boom. But again, thanks to this strategy, the company was able to successfully overcome the crisis and was able to significantly increase its own capacity, due to less successful competitors.
In 2005, the work on building and improvement in the Bessarabian quarter came to an end. Having completed this project, Nikonov Igor Vladimirovich moved to a relatively new construction segment at that time – elite housing.
Built with the participation of Nikonov, the complex of apartments “Diamond Hill”, located in Pechersk, was considered the most elite in the country. The expected profit from the sale of the quadrature of this building was within the limits of $ 100 million. The construction near the monument of history of the “Askold grave” provoked a significant public outcry. The terms of construction began to be significantly disrupted, as a result of which, in 2006, Nikonov was forced to abandon the project and sold the ownership rights to Ukrgasman Hill to Gorbal.
In 2007, Nikonov Igor Vladimirovich met with the founders of the Kiev investment group Vasily Khmelnitsky and Andrei Ivanov.
It is from this moment that significant changes in his construction career take place. These businessmen were major shareholders of the Zaporizhzhya Metallurgical Plant Zaporizhstal, 30% of which they sold in the market, in order to invest the money received in the construction in Kiev. Nikonov found an approach to Khmelnytsky, convincing him to invest in the implementation of the Nikonov company of the project for the development of the elite microdistrict “Parkow misto”.
In 2010, K.A.N. Development” has already implemented work on 6 objects with a total area of 300 000 sq.m., which in itself was the largest package of projects in Kiev at that time.
As a result of successful projects, in order to achieve maximum autonomy in the work, “K.A.N. Development” from the development company was rebuilt into a vertically integrated construction holding, which included. specially created architectural bureau and company “K.A.N. Stroy”, leading all construction work, the income of which in 2011 amounted to more than UAH 1 billion.
Among the projects “K.A.N. Development” such complexes as the residential quarter “Comfort Town” and the country’s largest shopping center – “Ocean Plaza”, “IQ Business Center” – a business center of class A +, built in early 2014, innovative technopark “Bionic Hill”, with an area of 900 000 sq.m. opened in 2015.
During the crisis, the deterioration of the financial situation was also expected by K.A. Development, as a result of which the staff was reduced and the construction of the largest project at that time was followed by the reduction of personnel and the stop construction of the largest at that time. Kyiv shopping center “Respublika”, with a planned area of about 300 000 sq.m. and the initial cost – $ 300 million, investments in which Dmitry Firtash and Vagif Aliyev made.
In July 2014, during an expanded meeting of the board of the Kyiv City State Administration, the mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, presented Nikonov as the first deputy chairman of the KSCA. The corresponding submission for the appointment of Nikonov to the post was sent by the mayor on July 14. Prior to this appointment, Nikonov Igor Vladimirovich actively participated in the management and decision-making, as the head of the Klitschko’s group of advisers.
In the specified position, Nikonov was the first deputy until December 2015, after which the mayor Klitschko signed an order to dismiss Nikonov from his post. In terms of the grounds for dismissal, it was indicated that it happened by agreement of the parties, and in early December Nikonov began the duties of adviser to the mayor Klitschko on a voluntary basis.
At the time of the appointment of Nikonov Igor Vladimirovich to the post of adviser to the mayor, he was already an ally of Klitschko in the Udar party, so the press service of this political force explained the appointment of Nikonov by the fact that the latter is a successful entrepreneur, who has many implemented projects. In turn, Nikonov saw as the main task of his activities in Kyivrad – conducting a detailed audit of all spheres of city management, including the work of the utilities sector, according to the results of which to form and prepare a comprehensive plan for the development of Kiev.
Positions held in the KSCA, including the post of first deputy chairman, Nikonov combined with the role of co-founder of a number of companies. So Nikonov continued to be the owner of “K.A.N. Development”, which was founded in 2001, the architectural bureau “K.A.N. “Studio of Comfort”, General Contract “K.A.N. Stroy”, which conducts all construction work, as well as divisions of engineering, operational, financial, commercial and legal support of projects, real estate sales company.
Due to Nikonov’s very cautious position regarding the attraction of credit funds to construction projects, all construction is carried out mainly at the expense of attracted direct investments of partners and investors. The company is organized according to the project principle, project managers report directly to the general director, the president of the company is engaged in the development of concepts, establishing relations with customers and investors, as well as making strategic decisions. However, in 2015, Nikonov officially left the founders of the company “K.A.N. Development”, while maintaining their equity rights in such companies as “Evrogitlotgroup”, “EZHG-HOLDING” and “Budzhitlostandart”. Nikonov Igor Vladimirovich was extremely profitable in all respects.
Nikonov is married, and is a father of ten children: Alevtina, 35 years old; Andrei, 27 years old; Tatiana, 24 years old from his first marriage. Valeria, 27 years old (ladder); Anya and Olya (twins), 18 years old; Arina, 15 years old, Alexander, 12 years; George, 9 years old; Alice, 7 years old. Nikonov’s wife – Ivanna, is the founder of the cultural and educational center “Academy of Modern Education”, in the activities of which modern innovative technologies are used for children from year to year.
The idea to do the construction business came to Nikonov in 1999, after his trip to the United States. After returning to Ukraine, he created the construction company K.A.N. (according to the names of the founders of Krapivin, Aliyev and Nikonov). As previously indicated by the first project of the company, with the assistance of the then mayor Omelchenko was the Dominant business complex, after the construction of which he and the shares in K.A.N. Nikonov and Krapivin bought Aliyev. After that, Nikonov single-handedly registered the company “K.A.N. “Development.” It was also reported that the Klitschko brothers also were also investors of the newly established company. It was then that, most likely, Nikonov’s friendly and partnership relations with Vitaly Klitschko began. Although Nikonov himself Igor Vladimirovich says that he met Klitschko 25 years ago while working in the “Republic”. Since 2004, Nikonov has been implementing many projects since the first Artena Entertaiment, which has also been sold to Aliyev.
It is worth stopping at the time of the construction of the business center “101 Tower”, because of which Nikonov was associated with the family of the scandalous mayor of Chernovetsky (part of the financing of the project was carried out by the son of Chernovetsky – Stepan). The loyalty of this mayor to Nikonov Igor Vladimirovich also indicates that during his cadence all developers had great difficulties in their work … all, except, of course, Nikonov. Also in this project, Nikonov’s partner and associate is the “decisive” time of Chernovetsky – Vadim Stolar, against whom a criminal case has been opened related to the Elita Center scandal.
Recall that the reason for the return of Nikonov from the United States in 2000 was that, in his opinion, powerful ties are needed to develop a successful business. Given this information, immediately becomes clear the principles for Nikonov’s case – only through “solving” issues.
Nikonov’s communications allowed him during the meeting of the Kyiv Court of Appeal, regarding the claim of the company Alekkadra Suprunenko, for the recovery of almost UAH 40 million from the Kyiv Council, Nikonov personally called the court and asked the judge to make a decision so that the company filed the lawsuit remained satisfied.
The next point for consideration is Nikonov’s participation in the fraud with the Bolshevik plant.
Nikonov, as expected by the active, and most importantly, the permanent participant of business processes is closely connected with the head of the administration of President Yanukovych – Lovochkin, who is also deservedly called the “gray cardinal”. They are not only business partners, the development of which was engaged in the company “K.A.N. Development” and “K.A.N. Stroy”, but also conduct good-neighborly relations, through a general fence on a residential complex in Koncha-Zaspa – “Golden Gate”, conduct a joint rest in the Maldives.
Currently, Nikonov’s interests have changed the vector from the KSCA and, according to him, will be aimed at implementing large projects, for the help and lobbying of which during his work with the Kyiv City Council, was carried out to “purchase” deputies. So, according to some information, Nikonov took what is called the salary of half of the Solidarity faction. Plus, the first deputy head of the Kyiv City Council, will be appointed director of the department of internal financial control and audit of the KSCA – Gennady Plis. As far as of the cases, Nikonov does not even need advice and even more so on the approval of his projects by Mayor Klitschko. What will lead such activity Nikonov and what will be the reaction of the mayor, it remains only to wait.
Whether Nikonov’s new projects are also connected with the next raider seizures of Kiev’s enterprises are also unknown.
Recalling the scandalous situations associated with the participation of Nikonov, including the construction of an elite residential complex “Dimond Hill” on the Dnieper slopes on the monument of cultural heritage, this fact was remembered by Nikonov when he was appointed to the post of first deputy of the Kiev mayor and head of KSA Klitschka. The public also opposed this appointment, as Nikonov’s business succeeded in all authorities, which spoke of the supremacy of profit above the moral and ethical aspect, and the lack of a clear civil socially useful position.
In July 2015, Kiev entrepreneurs – the owners of “autocofeen”, held a protest on the walls of Kievrada, demanding to punish those responsible for beating their colleagues and damage to property during the Kiev authorities, the so-called forced dismantling of mobile objects of trade. Among the persons guilty of this situation, the participants of the action called the first deputy chairman of the Kiev city administration – Nikonov, who, according to some information among entrepreneurs, was going to bring a monopolist to the market of the capital’s mobile trade.
In 2015, a mural appeared in Kiev, on the end wall of a 16-storey residential building. Artist from Australia Guido Van Helten, for a cash reward depicted, a collective image of a Ukrainian girl,
which, allegedly by chance was the daughter of Nikonov.
According to the declaration, Nikonov’s income in 2014 amounted to 1 million 105 thousand UAH. It included: the salary of 28 thousand UAH, revenues from the alienation of property in the amount of 773 thousand UAH, dividends and interest from the bank deposit, in the amount of 295 thousand UAH. and 8.7 thousand UAH. income from the alienation of securities.
In his property was an apartment of 368 sq.m., a land plot, an area of 2360 sq.m., a residential house of 1191.4 sq.m., four garages (20.3 sq.m., 20.1 sq.m., 21.2 sq.m. and 21.5 sq.m.).
In the bank accounts of Nikonov stored 6 million 215 thousand UAH. He also owned securities, a nominal value of 795 thousand UAH.
His family in 2014 had an income of 3 million 858 thousand UAH. It included salaries, totaling 20 thousand UAH, dividends and interest from deposits, in the amount of 97 thousand UAH, income from entrepreneurial activity, in the amount of 651 thousand UAH. and income from the alienation of property, for a total amount of 3 million 90 thousand UAH.
The Nikonov family also had 3 apartments with an area of 59.34 sq.m., 62.83 sq.m. and 104.3 sq.m., as well as 5 cars of elite brands, including Mercedes Benz, 2010 release, Mercedes Benz CL 63 AMG, 2008, production, Maybach, 2007 year of manufacture, Ford Transit, 2012 release and Honda CR-V, 2012 year of manufacture.
The amount of funds of Nikonov family members located in bank accounts was UAH 2.7 million. Also, the family members of the businessman had 8 deposits in the authorized funds of different companies, for a total of UAH 5.8 million.
According to the magazine “Focus” Nikonov was among the richest people in Ukraine. in 2014 – No. 94 in the list, with a fortune of 111 million dollars.
In 2016, he participated in the ranking of “100 richest people in Ukraine” according to the same magazine “Focus”, ranked 99th in the list, with a fortune of $ 30 million.
Thanks to the accumulated condition, Nikonov can easily afford to arrange a large Greek wedding to son Andrew. The venue was chosen by Greece, the headliner at the wedding was “Verka Serduchka”, the performance of which costs at least 25 thousand euros in 40 minutes, the hosts were Andrei Domansky and Vladimir Ostapchuk. The celebration lasted 2 days.
In July 2018, information began to appear in the press, about the beginning of the persecution of Nikonov for corruption, and in the current situation, he is going to leave the borders of Ukraine, having received Belgian citizenship.
According to the investigation of journalists, Nikonov’s company “K.A.N. Development” has always been used by Nikonov for the imperceptible “laundering” of stolen money, or the implementation of financial scams and fraud. It is especially useful for politicians and statesmen who seek to keep such operations not to leave traces, especially given the fact that about 30% of the cost of construction business (housing) of Kiev and Ukraine are all sorts of “kickbacks”.
So, during the crisis in 2014, Nikonov’s company stopped the construction of most of its projects and reduced a large number of personnel. It was during this period that one of the largest capital developers for a very short time sharply went into politics, taking the post of deputy head of the Kyiv administration and adviser to the mayor of Klitschka, who is also his longtime friend and partners (according to unofficial data).
This decision, which provided for a departure from business strictly for a period of about a year with further return to business looks like another move in the chess game. Just as strange is the sudden interest of Nikonov in the problems of his native city. But the opinion that this decision was necessary to lobby the interests of your business in a difficult financial period is quite logical.
It is natural that at a certain point Nikonov’s activities came to the attention of law enforcement agencies and was summoned for questioning on the fact of suspicion of illegal seizure of the residential complex on the street. Mazepas in Kiev, on which he never appeared.
The day after not appearing for interrogation, Nikonov, his lawyer, during a meeting at the restaurant, tried to give the investigator a bribe of $ 2 million. In confirmation of this, the recording of CCTV cameras was made. As a result, the lawyer was detained, and Nikonov, according to law enforcement agencies, hurried through the fictitious firm “Devero Holding GMBH” to transfer money from Ukrainian accounts to Belgian (to the Bank “Belfinus Bank”), which was repeatedly involved in scandals because of suspicions of money laundering residents of other countries.
At the same time, Nikonov continues to be in Kiev and lead a secular life, visiting balls with his wife, and participating in an interview. In July 2020, the investigating authorities filed a request to seize the site on the street. Mazepa 11-A, in Kiev and the number of property rights Nikonov (shares in business), which the court satisfied. In the framework of this criminal case, Nikonov’s participation in the appropriation of 100 million UAH is also being investigated. Ukrgasbank in 2008 (equivalent to $50 million).
Also interesting is the fact of the founding of the “Arena-Center” by Nikonov’s son-in-law – Gleb Murovansky and uncle Klitschko – Alexander Bulino. Although Nikonov strongly denies joint business with the mayor.
Another moment in the history of Nikonov was his correspondence with Radutsky, in which the latter, answering the question about the possible appointment to the post of Suprun wrote to him: “H… y have them in zh…uh!!! My man Zoryan Chernenko.” It was about the occupation of Suprun as Minister of Health, which is also possible as the sphere of interests of Nikonov.
Again, through his companies, Nikonov is connected as partners and founders with representatives of almost all political forces and almost all the period of their leadership or being in power.
Another question arose with Edde Forest. In December 2014, 8.5 hectares of Brovorsky forestry were leased for 10 years of the organization. The purpose of the land is the operation of buildings and structures, as well as the construction of members of the cooperative. In 2006, the children’s health complex “Cosmos” was located on this territory, which was leased to the “Sports and Health Club “Favorite” and bought it. 2011 the prosecutor’s office filed a lawsuit on the fact of privatization of the complex at a low price. The court won the prosecutor’s office, but under very strange circumstances, naturally losing the appeal. In 2012, the “Favorite” and a number of persons created by Eddem Forest, registers all property for him and refuses to use the land for free in its favor (after changes to the Land Code regarding the possibility of free obtaining land). In the time of Gerega, the session refused even to rent this site, but in the time of Klitschko allows dacha construction at this site. By the way, the “Favorite” dived into liquidation. This scam is partly related to LLC “K.A.N.”, although without information, about the direct participation of Nikonov.
Another scandal with the building, connected with the land, located in the area of the Kiev registry office. This site in 2007 was sold to Nikonov during the rule of the mayor of Chernovetsky. It was planned to build 2 high-rise buildings on 40 floors, but the plans of developers who already sang to damage communications during the excavation of the pit were not enough resiliently when voting.
Another dubious building of the company “K.A.N. Development is a project for the reconstruction of the plant PJSC “Kyiv Electric Transport Plant” in February 2020, the Plant Building, subject to reconstruction is located at the address. Bolshaya Vasilkovskaya, 143/2 in the Pechersk district of Kiev. This is evidenced by the data of the official website of the State Architectural and Construction Inspectorate of Ukraine.
The essence of the reconstruction is to build on the site of the plant with an area of 5.33 hectares, nine multi-storey residential buildings with a parking lot, a multifunctional complex and a general education school for almost 1000 pupils.
This site is an industrial area where the construction of housing is prohibited in accordance with the General Plan of the capital (previously on this site there was a plant for the repair and manufacture of wagons, trolleybuses and trams), but thanks to the decision of the Kyiv City Council of December 19, 2019, which was approved by the “Detailed plan of the territory in the area of a number of streets, including Bolshoy Vasylkivska, construction has become possible. By this decision, the deputies of the Kyiv City Council took into account the “investment interest” of the Kiev electric transport plant, which offered to build this industrial zone with residential buildings.
The developer was the company “ANBUD”, which is the general contractor, carrying out construction, installation and engineering work on projects of various scales and levels of complexity, including at the facilities of the group of partner companies headed by the development company “KAN Development” (Valery Gudov). This is the story of Igor Nikonov.
