Business continued during the occupation. An ex-MP and his sons have been exposed.

A former people's deputy of Ukraine and his sons have been exposed for continuing their business in the temporarily occupied territories of the Luhansk region, "adapting" to Russian legislation.

This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing the National Police of Ukraine.

One of his sons has already been notified of suspicion.

According to sources from RBK-Ukraine within law enforcement, the case involves:

• the people's deputy of Ukraine of the IV convocation, Nikolai Hapochnik, who previously served as the first deputy head of the Luhansk regional state administration;
• the deputy's son, Andrei Hapochnik.

The enterprises and production facilities controlled by the suspects were located in the temporarily occupied territory of the Bilokurakynsk district of the Luhansk region.

Case Details

In order to conduct business and profit without hindrance after the occupation, the defendants, in 2022, leveraging connections in the occupying authorities and with the help of affiliated individuals, registered companies under Russian laws and engaged in the cultivation and sale of agricultural products.

Photo: The former deputy and his son exposed for continuing business in the occupation (npu.gov.ua)

The companies under their control not only paid taxes to the budget of the terrorist state of Russia but also received financial assistance from the so-called "LPR" agencies.

"During the years 2023-2024, these companies paid nearly 8 million rubles in taxes to the budget of the aggressor state, which finances the war in Ukraine," adds the National Police.

During searches at the defendants' residences, the following were seized:

• 690 thousand dollars;
• 87 thousand euros;
• 960 thousand hryvnias;
• a notebook with rough notes;
• draft versions of powers of attorney issued to the defendants for representing their interests in the occupied territories and Russia;
• vehicles.

Consequences

The son of the former people's deputy has been notified of suspicion under part 2 of article 28, part 4 of article 111-1 - collaborative activity. The question of choosing a preventive measure for him is currently being addressed. He faces up to 5 years in prison.

Recall that RBK-Ukraine reported that in October 2024, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office announced suspicion of an acting people's deputy due to illegal enrichment exceeding 20 million hryvnias.