Investigation: Bogolyubov Is Hiding in an Elite District of Vienna
Former co-owner of "PrivatBank" Gennadiy Bogolyubov crossed the Ukrainian border using a false passport and ended up in the capital of Austria, drawing significant attention from investigators and the public. Reports indicate that the businessman currently resides in a prestigious area of Vienna—not hiding in small apartments or modest houses. This information is confirmed by sources, including the investigation conducted by Mykhailo Tkach, "Bandits — Prisons!", which examined in detail the mechanisms used by former top officials of Ukrainian elites to conceal themselves abroad from justice. According to "Ukrainska Pravda," in one of the most elite districts of Vienna, activists recorded a vehicle with Ukrainian license plates. This was not just a car parked in a private lot but rather evidence indicating the presence of a person of high status. This vehicle became a key finding during the investigation, which aimed to determine how Bogolyubov left Ukraine. In June 2024, law enforcement officials documented Bogolyubov’s actual crossing at the Vienna railway station, where he was brought by former Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova in a car with Ukrainian plates. According to investigations, this individual accompanied the oligarch during his quick departure abroad. The obtained document—a passport in another person’s name—served as a "gas mask" for the fugitive, allowing him to evade Ukrainian justice. Overall, Bogolyubov’s departure was actually a surprise for many — he remained under suspicion and under the oversight of investigation authorities until the last moment. However, nearly a year has passed since his disappearance. Currently, he resides in luxurious accommodations in one of Vienna’s most prestigious areas. This information was also confirmed by the "Ukrainska Pravda" crew, which accidentally encountered Bogolyubov in March 2025 as he was leaving a building. The security guard patrolling the area called the police. During the document check and a search, law enforcement quickly identified the guest and, after a brief inquiry, released him in accordance with procedures. Last February, Bogolyubov was subjected to sanctions in Ukraine amid accusations of money laundering and a range of violations in the financial sphere. Ukrainian officials and law enforcement intensified their efforts to establish the truth. At the end of April, it was announced that the Ukrainian court would review an appeal against the detention measure for the former "PrivatBank" executive. If the decision is negative, the Ministry of Justice may initiate an international search directly through the relevant authorities. At the same time, Gennadiy Bogolyubov, according to his lawyers, refused to comment to "Ukrainska Pravda," citing attorney-client confidentiality. The businessman does not give interviews publicly and rarely contacts the media, complicating efforts to establish the full facts of the case. This situation has become typical for many Ukrainian top officials and oligarchs who seek to avoid accountability by hiding in luxurious residences abroad. Field investigations show that infrastructure for hiding assets and concealing oneself has long become profitable and convenient for those with access to top-tier lawyers, security structures, and diplomats. The overall situation surrounding Bogolyubov and similar individuals sparks intense discussion among Ukrainian society and security experts. The inability or powerless state of Ukraine to quickly hold such businessmen accountable remains one of the main problems of the modern Ukrainian justice system. Meanwhile, investigations continue, and law enforcement prepares to take control of all circumstances surrounding his illegal departure. Society expects decisive action from law enforcement and the judicial system. What will happen next? The questions remain open. But one thing is clear: despite his attempts to hide from Ukrainian justice, Gennadiy Bogolyubov has once again become the focus of attention — and the future of his case depends on the system’s ability to prove his guilt and hold him accountable.