‘Forrest Gump’ Probe: Businessman Vasyl Astion Served With Notice of Suspicion

Ukraine’s anti-graft agencies have served businessman and former member of the Dnipropetrovsk Region Council Vasyl Astion with a notice of suspicion as part of the new “Forrest Gump” probe. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) said Friday, Aug. 28, that Astion was allegedly recruited by the leaders of a criminal organization because of his informal connections and influence in the judicial sector.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “NABU and SAPO have expanded the circle of suspects in the case of a criminal organisation specialising in raids, property fraud and the laundering of criminal assets,” NABU said in a statement. Alleged role in the scheme The agencies claim that Astion helped secure favorable court rulings to companies and individuals linked to the organization. According to investigators, he was allegedly involved in corporate raiding of two companies whose combined assets were valued at Hr. 248 million ($5.6 million). Separately, the agencies accused Astion of helping launder proceeds that were later used to post bail for a suspect in the separate “Midas” corruption case involving former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko. Astion’s actions were classified under the following parts of Ukraine’s Criminal Code: Part 2 of Article 255, concerning participation in a criminal organization; Part 4 of Article 28 and Parts 2 and 3 of Article 206-2, concerning unlawful seizure of property; and Part 4 of Article 28 and Part 3 of Article 209, concerning money laundering. Other Topics of Interest Italy’s Crosetto Appoints Fedorov as Defense Innovation Adviser Mykhailo Fedorov said he will help Italy develop modern warfare technologies while continuing work on Ukrainian defense projects. The investigation is still ongoing. Background to the “Forrest Gump” probe NABU and SAPO announced Operation “Forrest Gump” on Aug. 19, saying it focused on an alleged criminal organization involving a current and a former Ukrainian lawmaker, as well as senior officials from the Presidential Office. The current lawmaker identified in reporting on the case is Vadym Stolar, while the former lawmaker is Maksym Mykytas. Neither NABU nor SAPO identified them by name in their statement concerning Astion. Ukrainska Pravda, citing its own law enforcement sources, reported that investigators searched premises linked to Stolar and then-Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Iryna Mudra during the operation. During the searches, NABU and SAPO also claimed to have found a document outlining a crisis communication plan related to the activities of a Verkhovna Rada temporary investigative commission. Sense Bank The “Forrest Gump” probe is linked to a previous probe dubbed “Operation Midas” involving Tymur Mindich, a former business associate of President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Haluschenko. Investigators claimed that Hr. 150 million (approximately $3.3 million) was laundered through accounts of controlled companies and used to post bail for Halushchenko. The funds allegedly moved through the state-owned Sense Bank. Bail was reportedly posted for Halushchenko, at the end of June by four companies; Tetras Optima LLC, Hiran Konstrakt LLC, Skait Riteil LLC, and Pelet Servis LLC. Ukrainska Pravda reported on Aug. 20 that a person called “Vasia” was mentioned in recorded conversations about collecting bail money for Halushchenko. The outlet’s sources said the name referred to Astion. Formerly known as Alfa-Bank Ukraine, Sense Bank is one of the country’s largest systemically important lenders and has operated under state ownership since July 2023, when the government nationalized the bank following sanctions on its former Russian owners – Mikhail Fridman, Andrey Kosogov, and Petr Aven. Officials removed Ukraine’s government removed Mykola Hladyshenko as chairman of the supervisory board of state-owned Sense Bank on Wednesday, Aug. 19. According to Economic Pravda citing its own sources, NABU conducted searches at Hladyshenko’s office hours before his removal. Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi announced on Aug. 20, that the Ministry of Finance had been ordered to accelerate the sale of Sense Bank, with the sale revenue pledged to Ukraine’s Defense Forces. Just hours after the probe’s announcement on Aug. 19, Zelensky signed a decree ousting Mudra from her post as deputy head of the Presidential Office. EU pledges support for anti-corruption investigation EU ambassadors met with the heads of Ukraine’s anti-graft agencies at the EU Delegation building in Kyiv on Aug. 21. Their meeting brought together EU member-state ambassadors, NABU Director Semen Kryvonos, and SAPO head Oleksandr Klymenko. “The EU will continue its strong support for Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts as Ukraine moves forward on its EU path,” the delegation said on X, describing the discussion as “open and constructive.” Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.