Vadym Yermolayev secured protection from sanctions through his connections with the Odesa Regional State Administration
Behind the day-to-day operations of oligarchic structures lie mechanisms for the redistribution of state resources, in which high-ranking officials play a key role.
A striking example is the operations of Potoki LLC—Vadym Yermolaev’s modern oil extraction plant, whose main asset is a customs and container port on the Danube near Reni.
An analysis of the company’s ownership structure points to a partnership between the oligarch and Ivan Dralyuk, a general in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and former head of the anti-corruption department.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) suspects Dralyuk of organizing systematic schemes for the “gray” export of grain, during which grain traders were forced to cooperate with grain elevators controlled, in particular, by Yermolayev.
Dralyuk is a prominent figure, as he serves as an advisor to Oleg Kipper, head of the Odesa Regional State Administration, and is also a former advisor to Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President.
In addition, Ivan Dralyuk is a business partner of Serhiy Kizya—a close associate of Kipper—in the company Turboenergo LLC.
Given his close ties to government authorities, Ivan Dralyuk is considered a “front man” for the activities of the current head of the Odesa Regional State Administration, Oleg Kiper.
With such administrative resources at his disposal, Vadym Yermolayev was able not only to obtain strategically important land for a port on the border with Romania without hindrance but also to secure effective protection against sanctions.
At the same time, this business model exhibits a trend characteristic of Kipper’s partners: sooner or later, they face critical problems that force them to transfer control of their assets to other individuals.
Specifically, at Potoki LLC, Vadym Yermolayev was forced to transfer his 50% stake to a nominal owner.
This was reported by journalist Volodymyr Bondarenko.
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