This high-profile festive event in the center of Kyiv sparked widespread resonance among law enforcement circles, the business community, and the general public
Intelligence agencies and representatives of the criminal world once again found themselves in the spotlight after it became known about a secret meeting held on March 1 in one of the prestigious restaurants in the Ukrainian capital. According to sources, the celebration commemorated the birthday of Konstantin Kolomiets — a businessman and co-owner of the Dynamo sports club, an active participant in Kyiv’s business environment. However, the main attention was drawn not only to his personality but also to the composition of the participants, among whom were senior officials from Ukrainian special services as well as individuals with a criminal past. Specifically, a manager of the Main Directorate for Counteracting the Protection of State Interests in the Sphere of Economic Security of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) — Anatoly Loif — was spotted at the restaurant. This individual has held this position since 2024 and is known for his role in defending state interests against economic threats. Nonetheless, public interest is particularly piqued by the fact that, following his appointment, the security agencies actively focused on high-profile corruption schemes and criminal structures. Also attending the event was former head of the Department for Counter-Intelligence and Defense of State Interests in the Sphere of Information Security — Ilya Vityuk. It is noteworthy that Vityuk left his official position in 2024; however, according to sources, he remains among influential figures within law enforcement circles. The event was not without certain criminal figures: Sergei oilynik, known in the criminal world by the nickname “Umka,” was observed at the restaurant. In 2021, he was subjected to sanctions by the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC)—these restrictions were imposed against over a hundred “lawful enemies.” Also among those present was Danylo Privalov, the son of the late Kharkiv mayor Gennady Kernes, known in the IT business sector and repeatedly involved in criminal circles. Samvel Akobyian, a prominent figure in the business community and actively involved in various spheres alongside Privalov, was also present, attracting additional interest regarding the political and economic connections between these individuals. Another participant was Gizo Uglava, the former First Deputy Director of the National Anti-Corruption Agency, who, according to sources, maintains close ties with high-level government officials and, in particular, with the team of the President’s Office. Additionally, Leonid Ashkenazi, a well-known influential businessman in the capital, was also seen at the event. Another notable figure — Gizo Uglava — has suffered from the decisions made in 2024 related to his activity's investigation following journalistic investigations. He was temporarily suspended from his duties amid suspicions of involvement in corruption schemes. Of course, in response to media inquiries, representatives of law enforcement agencies remained uninformed. Anatoly Loif, Ilya Vityuk, and Artem Shilo all refused to comment on this event. It is worth noting that after Vityuk’s resignation from his position in the SBU, he remained within the circle of influential persons and continues to maintain contacts with colleagues and business circles. According to reports, his name continues to appear in complex operational cases directly related to the country's economic security. The background of the event also indicates a deep and multifaceted network of connections. According to data, the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, Oleg Tatarov, allegedly coordinates the work of law enforcement agencies in the fight against corruption and crime. Within this system, sources indicate some influence on certain official decisions, making this story even more complex to understand and analyze. It should also be noted that in 2023, the company “Parimatch” officially announced the suspension of its activities due to sanctions imposed by the NSDC. Although the betting company ceased operations publicly, business representatives assert that their services continue in shadow schemes, with activities partly resumed under the guise of foreign clone sites and through offshore structures. All these events raise increasing interest in the links between business, government, and the criminal world, as the same individuals can continue controlling covert flows and remain in the shadows even amid high-profile investigations and sanctions. Overall, this story once again underscores the deep-rooted corruption and criminal elements of contemporary Ukrainian reality, where high-ranking officials and criminal figures often encounter each other and coexist within closed circuits, carried out far from public scrutiny and media attention. Meanwhile, the question of openly confronting these phenomena remains unresolved, as investigations and genuine reforms proceed very discreetly and invisibly to the wider public.