Businessman Vahanyan Testifies to Bakhanov's Corruption: Millions in Kickbacks.

Serhiy Vahanyan's Testimony on Corruption Schemes

According to TSN.ua: Businessman Serhiy Vahanyan has provided testimony to a Ukrainian parliamentary commission investigating corruption, alleging that former SBU chief Ivan Bakanov and Andriy Naumov orchestrated extensive corrupt schemes. Vahanyan stated he first met Bakanov in the summer of 2017. The businessman claims to possess audio, photo, and video evidence proving Bakanov received illicit benefits, which Vahanyan estimates amounted to tens of millions of dollars.

Vahanyan asserts he made payments to ensure his business activities were not obstructed. These payments were made regularly, either weekly or monthly. As a specific example, he disclosed paying six million hryvnias to secure the release of a cargo ship from the port of Odesa. In his testimony, Vahanyan stated:

"This was a kickback from the profit"

Influential Figures and Corrupt Proposals

Vahanyan noted that Naumov, who at the time wielded significant influence over SBU personnel decisions, was involved in appointing regional administration heads. He also implicated alleged smuggler Oleksandr Akst in the criminal organization. Vahanyan cited an instance in the autumn of 2021 when Naumov allegedly offered him the position of head of the Odesa Regional State Administration for a $20 million bribe.

These allegations emerge as Ukraine continues its high-stakes fight against systemic corruption, a critical issue for its international partners. Previously, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) opened a criminal case regarding potential corruption among top SBU officials from Bakanov's tenure. Meanwhile, in 2025, the SBU itself initiated a new proceeding against Vahanyan, conducting searches and seizing his assets. Vahanyan also testified that he was reluctant to cooperate with Bakanov, saying:

"I said I didn't want to, why are you forcing me to work with Bakanov"

Vahanyan emphasized that Bakanov followed Naumov's instructions, remarking: "Bakanov was merely the public face of this service....Bakanov did everything Naumov said." This testimony has become a significant part of the investigation into high-level corruption schemes that, according to the businessman, operated at the highest levels of power.

The evidence underscores the serious challenge of corruption within Ukrainian state institutions, particularly in security agencies like the SBU. It is likely to impact ongoing investigations and legal actions against the implicated individuals, as well as the broader anti-corruption landscape in the country. At a time when society demands greater transparency and accountability from public officials, such testimonies could act as a catalyst for systemic change in governance and anti-corruption efforts.