The former deputy mayor of Lviv, Gennadiy Vaskiv, was detained in Austria and is suspected of large-scale embezzlement of humanitarian aid. Investigators estimate that the total amount of losses could reach almost UAH 80 million.
The detention was carried out with the participation of Interpol in March 2026 after Vaskiv’s arrival in Europe from the United States. The information was confirmed by the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and the Estonian side.
Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have already started the extradition procedure. On 30 March, the Ministry of Justice filed a corresponding petition with the court. If returned to Ukraine, the suspect is to be held in custody as a preventive measure.
What is known about the detention
According to the investigation, 45-year-old Vaskiv had been abroad for a long time, where he left under the guise of transporting humanitarian aid and never returned.
He was detained upon arrival from the United States to Austria. According to Estonian filmmaker Ilmar Raag, Vaskiv’s return could have been no accident – a version of the so-called ‘operational combination’ is not excluded, when he could have been lured away under the pretext of work.
How the scheme worked with humanitarian aid
The investigation believes that the key instrument in the scheme was the charity foundation “All for Victory”, which Vaskiv established in March 2022.
Already in May, the Foundation entered into a partnership with the Estonian organisation MTÜ Slava Ukraini, which raised funds to help Ukraine.
However, in August 2022, according to law enforcement, Vaskiv decided to use the charitable donations for his own benefit.
The donors’ money was withdrawn through the company “Ice Construction”, which was associated with his entourage and registered in the names of front men and relatives.
The main scheme involved the purchase of goods, including self-heating food kits, at significantly inflated prices. The difference between the actual cost and the declared cost could be embezzled.
Amounts of losses
According to the investigation:
- EUR 1.55 million (over UAH 59 million) was withdrawn through controlled entities
- over UAH 18 million – due to overstatement of the cost of goods
- UAH 772 thousand – possible misappropriation of funds from the European Investment Bank
In total, we are talking about losses approaching UAH 80 million.
How the scandal began
The scandal surrounding this case broke out in April 2023. At that time, the head of MTÜ Slava Ukraini, Johanna-Maria Lehtme, was accused of financial irregularities in Estonia.
It turned out that part of the fund was transferred to the Lviv-based company Ice Construction, which has links to Vaskiv.
The company was set up in 2021, formally registered in the name of an acquaintance and later in the name of relatives of the former official.
What are the charges
Gennadiy Vaskiv is charged:
- illegal use of charitable donations in large amounts
- money laundering
- forgery of documents
After extradition to Ukraine, the case will enter the stage of active court proceedings.
