Ukrainian Lawmaker Serhiy Kuzminykh Faces Bribery Allegations Over 558,000 Hryvnias.

The Case of Serhiy Kuzminykh

According to Espreso.tv: Serhiy Kuzminykh, a member of Ukraine's parliament, is accused of influence peddling and taking a bribe in 2022. He ran for office under the 'Servant of the People' party in the 67th district of the Zhytomyr region and has been involved in charitable work. The investigation into his actions has been ongoing since 2022, with the statute of limitations for prosecution set to expire in January 2027.

Kuzminykh entered politics after being elected to the Verkhovna Rada in 2019, representing the same party and district in Zhytomyr. In January 2022, he allegedly received a bribe of 558,000 hryvnias, which equaled 30% of the value of a contract for purchasing an ultrasound diagnostic system. The total cost of two additional contracts for medical equipment supplies exceeds 38 million hryvnias.

Financial Aspects of His Activities

The criminal case against Kuzminykh was launched in 2022, and the deadline for bringing him to justice runs out in January 2027. In 2025, Kuzminykh earned over 805,000 hryvnias from his parliamentary work, while the state reimbursed him for more than 1 million hryvnias in expenses over the year. Additionally, his wife, Olena Kuzminykh, earned 230,000 hryvnias in one year from her position at Polissia National University.

The lawmaker drives a 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, and his family owns a 25% share of a 55.8-square-meter apartment in Zhytomyr. Kuzminykh's accounts hold $9,200 in cash and 96,000 hryvnias in joint savings. The situation surrounding Serhiy Kuzminykh and his activities has drawn significant public attention, given the allegations of influence peddling.

The case of Serhiy Kuzminykh is a key example in Ukraine's fight against corruption, as accusations of influence peddling and bribery cast doubt on the ethics and transparency of public officials.

Opening criminal investigations into lawmakers can serve as a signal to society about the need for oversight of government officials. Notably, the statute of limitations expiring in 2027 underscores the importance of the case's further development and the potential consequences for Kuzminykh's political career.