A photo as a reminder of the searches: why did the BEB leadership meet with Vyacheslav Lysenko?
Alexander Tsivinsky, Director of the Economic Security Bureau (ESB), and his deputy, Pavel Buzdygan, attended an event at the CEO Club Ukraine business club, where they met, among others, with Vyacheslav Lysenko—a shareholder of Meest China, whose offices had previously been searched by detectives from the same agency. The Bureau claims that the meeting was “public” and that no private conversations were held with the individual involved in the criminal proceedings.
This is stated in the BEB’s response to an official inquiry from the UA.NEWS editorial team.
Context of the meeting between BEB leadership and Vyacheslav Lysenko
Earlier, journalists discovered that the BEB leadership held a meeting with Vyacheslav Lysenko, despite the fact that he is a suspect in a criminal case.
As a reminder, on April 30, 2024, BEB detectives conducted searches at addresses linked to Lysenko (specifically at 33B Degtyarivska Street). According to the investigation, an underground casino operated there under the guise of the “CEO Club,” where the “elite” and lawmakers, among others, gambled, and a fraudulent call center operated, defrauding citizens of the EU and Ukraine. Despite the fact that Lysenko’s subordinate has already been charged, and the businessman himself lost lawsuits against media outlets regarding the protection of his reputation, the head of the BEB appeared at a joint event with a potential suspect.
What the BEB said
In its official response, the agency attempts to distance itself from personal contact with Lysenko, justifying the visit as “establishing dialogue with the business community.” The meeting took place on April 9, 2026, in the format of a discussion on the topic “BEB: Transformation. Focus. Result.” In addition to Lysenko, about 50 other club members were present.
The Bureau insists that there were no individual meetings. However, they acknowledge that after the event, participants (including Lysenko) could approach Tsivinsky for “brief remarks and group photos.”
The agency’s leadership denies any risk of corruption, noting that “individual cases” were not discussed.
Not a brief exchange, but a substantive meeting
However, Vyacheslav Lysenko himself described the results of the meeting on social media in much greater detail than just “brief exchanges.” The businessman openly praised the new philosophy of the BEB head:
“I’m honestly surprised by the head’s approach and his philosophy: not to ‘tear apart’ businesses or shut down companies. Even if there are violations—first, an offer to correct them and voluntarily pay a fine, BUT without blocking the company’s operations... This approach could change the ‘rules of the game,’ and the BEB will no longer be a punitive body for legitimate businesses, but rather an ally. My conclusion: if this approach takes root... for legitimate businesses—no risks, only transparency and peace of mind,” Lysenko wrote on his Facebook page.
Summary
The BEB explained this visit as routine communication with investors; however, the question of ethics remains open: is it acceptable for the head of an agency investigating a case involving the gambling business and fraud to participate in “friendly discussions” on the premises and among individuals who are under investigation in that very case? The Bureau says this is a “souvenir photo,” but Lysenko publicly declares a change in the “rules of the game” and future “calm.”
As a reminder, Kyiv businessman Vyacheslav Lysenko, co-owner of Meest China and CEO of Club Ukraine, who lost a court case against the media outlet UA.NEWS, has launched a campaign to “whitewash” his reputation, which has been tarnished by possible ties to the organizers of underground casinos.
