Mother of Vice Prime Minister for European Integration Bought Housing in Upscale Kyiv for Four Times Less than Market Price
Last October, Nadiya Kravets, mother of Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, made an unexpected purchase — a three-room apartment in the prestigious Lvivska Ploshcha residential complex in the center of Kyiv. But, according to the results of the hromadske investigation, she managed to purchase this property at a price more than a quarter lower than the market price, which raises many questions about legality and possible hidden schemes. According to official data, Nadiya Kravets paid 3 million 42 thousand 692 hryvnias for the apartment, which in early autumn 2022 was approximately $83,205. At a time when the starting prices for similar three-room apartments in this elite residential complex started at 12 million hryvnias — that is, more than $300,000 by today's standards — the value named in the investigation looks extremely strange. Sources, in particular, realtor Oleksiy Glunychyk, who advised on the purchase, noted that this price is "unrealistic." In their opinion, the standard price per square meter in this area usually did not fall below $2,000. However, this apartment does not appear in the official's documentation and declarations. For example, the declaration indicates another property of her mother — an apartment with an area of 74 square meters, purchased in 2008. However, according to the register of rights to real estate, such an apartment has not yet been registered with Nadiya Kravets. Perhaps this is because the register started operating much later — starting in the 2010s, so old objects may not have been included in the database. According to hromadske, it is currently difficult to specify which apartment Kravets' daughter uses - Nadiya Kravets' mother, apparently, has several apartments in the capital. According to the registry data, she has created real estate, but the specifics of her use remain unknown. The investigation emphasizes that this apartment could well have been used by their daughter, while there are no open documents or information about her ownership or use. Interestingly, in the context of all these events in the mortgage and property history, suspicions arise about possible schemes for legalizing assets and their subsequent transfer to other persons. It is known, with reference to the "State Bailiff Service and Arrested Property" (DARMA), that assets seized on the basis of criminal proceedings sometimes fall into the hands of persons who do not belong to them at all according to official documents. This opens up additional questions about the use and control over assets acquired in this way. The residential complex "Lvivska Ploshcha" is located in the center of the capital and has a reputation as an elite new business-class building - it is a 15-story modern complex with panoramic views of the historic Podil and its surrounding slopes. A separate feature is the unusual architecture and exquisite design. The windows of the apartments offer picturesque views of the ancient streets and bridges of Podil. It should be noted separately that this residential complex is located near popular restaurants, cafes and nightclubs, as well as within walking distance of the historical monuments of this unique area - which makes buying here prestigious and attractive for unscrupulous businessmen. In the financial and judicial sectors, questions are already being raised about the possible involvement of high-ranking officials and their family members in schemes to conceal and legalize illegal income. After all, if the facts of assets purchased at a significantly reduced price are confirmed, the question of a lack of transparency and corruption schemes in the power structure and real estate may arise. Analysis of the situation is still ongoing, and experts emphasize that such cases emphasize the importance of strengthening control and transparency in the sphere of buying, selling and declaring the property of high-ranking officials in Ukraine.