Large-Scale Ski Resort in Transcarpathia: Intrigue, Land Deals, and Political Influence
In the Transcarpathian region, a new ambitious project to build the ‘Borghava’ ski resort is emerging, raising numerous questions and concerns among the local community and environmental activists.
According to investigations, the initiator of this large-scale venture is Viktor Kaskiv, a member of the Zakarpattia Regional Council affiliated with the forbidden OPZz party, currently under suspicion due to his political ties.
Kaskiv is actively negotiating in Kyiv with MP Serhii Lvochkin, as well as engaging officials and developers to bring the project to life.Investigators from Bihus.Info report that Kaskiv has met at least twice with prominent political and business figures, including Igor Palitsa, who confirmed discussions about a resort in Pylypets but expressed a lack of personal interest.
Palitsa explained that their talks covered broader topics and that he was not particularly interested in the project.Photographs and reports also include visits from Igor Kushnir, a former Kyiv City Building boss, though he states that he did not discuss the resort during these meetings.
However, investigations reveal that on one occasion, Kushnir was accompanied by construction businessman Valerii Kodecki, who maintains close links with other officials involved in the project.
All these figures are connected through the company ‘Borghava Center,’ founded by Kaskiv’s partner, Reni Guseinova, and her associate Andriy Vingranovskiy.
This suggests a deliberate effort by Kaskiv’s entourage to control land in the area.Land deals related to the project are extensive.
Guseinova’s father and Austrian investor Gernot Leitner secured rights to 25 hectares in Pylypets for installing ski lifts, along with changes in land use designations to facilitate further development.
Environmental groups point out that local authorities have submitted projects to change forest land designations to allow for recreational development, potentially paving the way for construction.Ecologists highlight that the Zakarpattia Regional State Administration has submitted a proposal to the Cabinet of Ministers to change the purpose of large forest areas, making them available for construction.
Meanwhile, the Regional Council manipulated the boundaries of the Temnatyk forest reserve, covering an area of 240 hectares, contrary to its legal authority.
These land parcels, along with another 460 hectares bought by firms connected with Kaskiv’s circle during Yanukovych’s regime, remain a cause for worry.All these facts suggest that the scope of Kaskiv’s resort project could expand up to 800 hectares, raising critical concerns over legal violations and ecological impact.
In November 2024, media reports indicated that Kaskiv is trying to seize land from local entrepreneurs in Pylypets for his construction plans.
Notably, MP David Arakhamia from ‘Servant of the People’ has also visited the site, adding a political dimension to the ongoing developments.