New "Mindich tapes" reveal discussions about control over Karpatnaftohim
The latest “Mindich tapes” reveal conversations between businessman Vasyl Vesely and Oleksandr Tsukerman, in which they discuss taking control of Ukraine’s largest petrochemical company, “Karpatnaftohim.” The story involves a long-running conflict over the asset, arrests, attempts to change management, and the subsequent transfer of shares among related parties. This is detailed in an investigation by Ukrayinska Pravda.
The investigation into the so-called “Mindich tapes” continues to reveal details of behind-the-scenes conversations surrounding major Ukrainian assets, and this time the focus is on the petrochemical giant “Karpatnaftohim,” where, according to the released recordings, businessman Vasyl Veselyi discusses with Oleksandr Tsukerman possible steps to establish control over the company and influence the legal proceedings surrounding it.
This refers to the second part of the materials published as part of the “Ukrainska Pravda” investigation, which captures a conversation between Tsukerman and Veselyi; Tsukerman himself has previously appeared in investigative materials as a co-organizer of corruption schemes in the energy sector linked to Timur Mindich, and as a person who worked in the so-called “back office” for money laundering, which adds context to the conversation itself and its content.
Earlier, in late 2024, investigations had already described the story surrounding “Karpatnaftohim,” which involved alleged agreements to lift the seizure of the enterprise; according to journalists, this could have occurred through complex connections and exchanges of interests, including the possible acquisition of shares in the company through front men, although official parties did not confirm this.
Following the seizure of the company’s corporate rights and assets by court order, the assets were to be transferred to ARMA’s management, and the state could potentially generate revenue from their subsequent management or sale after the completion of the confiscation proceedings; however, in reality, the procedure was delayed, and ARMA stated that it was unable to find a manager due to procedural issues and errors in the documentation.
Ultimately, as noted in the article, the seizure of the company was lifted, and after some time, new co-owners appeared in the ownership structure—specifically, Andriy Veselyi, the brother of Vasyl Veselyi—which drew renewed attention to how control over the asset was shifting and who might gain influence as a result of these processes.
In a recorded conversation from May 9, 2025, Vasyl Veselyi directly speaks of his intention to influence the situation surrounding the company and to use legal tools to advance his position, as well as discusses further steps regarding the conflict between co-owners and possible scenarios for control over the plant. “I need ‘Karpatnaftohim’ now, look. Shura, I want lawyers to oppose me in the Carpathians. Oppose me. So I’ll tell you how I see all this,” he says in the conversation.
In subsequent segments of the conversation, aggressive language regarding other parties involved in the process is discussed, along with plans to regain control of the assets, as well as financial assessments of the company’s value, debt obligations, and ownership structures, which, according to the speakers, complicate the situation surrounding “Karpatnaftohim” and create a breeding ground for conflicts between various interest groups. “We just need to make a graceful exit… And then catch up with them and force them to do what needs to be done,” says another excerpt from the recording.
Separately, the article mentions the broader context of Vasyl Vesely’s involvement in various business stories, including his influence on other entities, as well as connections that, according to the journalists, may extend beyond a single company and involve other major financial institutions, making this story part of a larger investigation into the redistribution of influence over key assets in the country.
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