Stolen 65.8 million euros: a scheme involving earnings at the Odessa airport in Ukraine has been exposed, with the involvement of a former mayor

A scheme involving earnings of 2.6 billion Ukrainian hryvnias (65.8 million euros) at the Odessa airport in Ukraine, in which a former mayor is implicated, has been exposed.

This information was reported by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine.

According to the Bureau, the scheme was organized back in 2011 by two well-known local entrepreneurs during the privatization of the airport facility. The individuals in question are Boris Kaufman and Alexander Granovsky.

Based on the investigation, the suspects gained joint ownership of airport property that was not subject to privatization, as it had national significance and was responsible for carrying out border and customs control functions. The city council approved the deal, and it was promoted by the former mayor of the city. The then-Mayor of Odessa, Alexey Kostusev, has also been implicated and is facing suspicions.

The businessmen are accused of unlawfully acquiring airport property worth 118 million hryvnias and illicitly gaining income from its operations between 2012 and 2022 totaling an additional 2.5 billion hryvnias.

In total, five individuals are under suspicion in the case: the two aforementioned entrepreneurs, the former mayor, a former deputy mayor, and the director of a private company.