Former head of the Ministry of Culture Karandeyev was suspected
The former acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine has been notified that he is a suspect in a case involving the illegal departure of men abroad during martial law. According to investigators, a scheme involving purported charity concerts and a fictitious musical group was used for this purpose.
The former acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine has become the focus of an investigation into the illegal smuggling of men out of the country during martial law. Law enforcement officials believe that charity performances abroad served as a cover for this activity. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko announced the charges. According to sources at RBC-Ukraine, the individual in question is Rostislav Karandeev, who served as acting head of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy from July 2023 to September 2024.
According to investigators, the scheme involved organizing charity concerts abroad. In the documents, the men were listed as members of a musical group. However, law enforcement officials claim they had no connection to music whatsoever. It was for this very reason that border guards initially denied them permission to cross the state border. However, the State Border Service later received a second letter from the ministry’s leadership requesting assistance in facilitating the departure of these same individuals, this time as members of a musical group.
According to the investigation, it was this document that served as the basis for granting permission to leave the country. As a result, eight men of draft age left Ukrainian territory. According to law enforcement officials, they have not yet returned.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko emphasized that during wartime, decisions regarding the departure of men subject to military conscription carry particular weight. “A position of authority does not grant the right to circumvent the law. A government document cannot serve as a cover for a scheme,” he stated.
Kravchenko also emphasized that the issue of men of draft age leaving the country concerns not only formalities but also national security and trust in state institutions. The National Police is conducting the pre-trial investigation. The case was opened under the article on the illegal transportation of persons across Ukraine’s state border.
Law enforcement officials continue to establish all the circumstances of the case. Currently, they are investigating possible additional incidents and other individuals who may have been involved in organizing the scheme. Back in April of this year, law enforcement officials reported uncovering a scheme for illegal travel abroad. At that time, a female businesswoman came under suspicion; according to the investigation, she participated in organizing the scheme.
The National Police noted that lists of people were submitted to the Ministry of Culture, with these individuals listed as members of musical groups. The documents stated that they intended to perform abroad at charity events to support Ukraine. During the subsequent investigation, investigators established the possible involvement of other participants in the scheme. According to law enforcement, certain individuals sought out people willing to leave the country, discussed the terms of such “tours,” and the official signed letters from the ministry that helped secure exit permits.
For financial transactions, investigators claim, the scheme’s participants used bank accounts and crypto wallets. The investigation is ongoing. The court will determine the final conclusions regarding the guilt of all those involved. “During wartime, any decision by an official regarding the departure of conscripts abroad is a matter of national security, trust in institutions, and fairness toward those who are fulfilling their duty to the country,” Ruslan Kravchenko emphasized. This information comes froma post on Telegram by Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko.
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