Former Culture Minister Karandeyev was placed under nighttime house arrest

The Pechersk District Court has imposed a preventive measure in the form of nighttime house arrest on Rostislav Karandeyev, the former acting Minister of Culture, on suspicion of facilitating the illegal smuggling of individuals across the state border. 

Investigators believe that it was his authorization that allowed eight men of draft age to leave the country under the guise of a music band, and that they have not returned to Ukraine. 

The former official himself considers the allegations unfounded, but has stated his willingness to comply with procedural obligations and his interest in an objective investigation of the circumstances. Back in March 2025, he publicly acknowledged that three to five men had failed to return from abroad during tours by certain artistic groups that had received letters of support from the ministry.

This was reported by the press service of the Office of the Prosecutor General in a statement to “Suspilne.” 

The former acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine was notified of his status as a suspect in a case involving the illegal departure of men abroad during martial law. According to the investigation, a scheme involving purported charity concerts and a fictitious musical group was used for this purpose.