Hidden Assets Worth 134 Million Hryvnias Uncovered by Anti-Corruption Agency in Odesa Region Council Member.

Controversy Surrounding Deputy Maksym Sheiko

According to Novyny.live: An investigation into the 2024 financial declaration of Maksym Sheiko, a member of a village council in Odesa Oblast, has revealed serious discrepancies between his reported assets and actual income. The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) conducted the review, uncovering significant inconsistencies that suggest concealed property and funds.

According to the findings, Sheiko’s declaration contained discrepancies totaling approximately 134 million hryvnias. Specific inaccuracies include:

• An undeclared residential house exceeding 315 square meters in the village of Molodizhne;
• A land plot of roughly 1,000 square meters;
• Vehicles such as a Mercedes-Benz ML 350, a Mercedes-Benz Vito, and a trailer.

Although Sheiko reported over 3.3 million US dollars in cash, the audit identified a gap of more than 117 million hryvnias between his family’s income and their available funds. The case file has been forwarded to the National Police of Ukraine for further investigation.

Declarations from Other Local Deputies

Other submissions by Odesa City Council members have also drawn scrutiny. For instance, deputy Roman Senyk disclosed real estate, cars, and cryptocurrency in his 2025 declaration, including a land plot, two apartments in Odesa, and a large apartment he uses free of charge.

Another council member, Vitalii Barvinenko, filed a 2025 declaration listing multiple apartments, land parcels, luxury automobiles, and substantial cash savings. Additionally, City Council Secretary Ihor Koval submitted a 2025 declaration showing increased financial assets for both himself and his partner.

This case involving Maksym Sheiko further underscores the critical need for financial transparency among public officials in Ukraine.

The situation highlights the importance of rigorous declaration oversight, which can help expose corrupt practices and bolster public trust in state institutions. The National Police investigation may serve as a pivotal step in combating local-level corruption, a pressing issue within Ukrainian society.