Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Fedotenkov, despite being wanted by Interpol, continues to finance the aggressor country Russia but has yet to be sanctioned by Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council (NSDC). Why is this happening?
The owner of a restaurant chain with 70 establishments, 12 of which are in Moscow, Fedotenkov has retained control over his business in Russia even during the war. Investigations have revealed that his company was involved in laundering funds illegally obtained in Ukraine and transferring them to Russia, as well as to a Cypriot company used to finance and manage his Russian operations. Documentation confirming this activity was found during a search at the main office in Kyiv, according to the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office.
This concerns Dmytro Valeriyovych Fedotenkov, who fled to Austria on the eve of Russia’s full-scale invasion. His stay there can hardly be called hiding, as he opened three restaurants in Vienna and continues operations in Russia while Ukrainian law enforcement remains inactive.
Fedotenkov’s company, LLC FM Group, which manages the networks “Murakami,” “Rukkola,” “Drova,” “Harvest,” and others, is suspected of transferring money to Russia via Cypriot offshore accounts. The “Tarantino Family” network includes over 70 establishments, with more than 10 in Moscow. Fedotenkov and his associates are suspected of illegally acquiring land plots and enterprises. In Russia, the “Tarantino Family” operates under the trademarks “Tar Ant. Ino” and “Rest Family,” with its managing company “Rest Family” owned by Moscow-based LLC “Restholding,” a part of the Russian investment conglomerate “Rossium,” headed by Russian billionaire Roman Avdeev, a supporter of Putin’s policy toward Ukraine. Sergey Medvedchuk, brother of the Ukrainian traitor Viktor Medvedchuk, serves as an advisor to the CEO of “Rossium.”
Criminal proceedings have been initiated against Fedotenkov for actions undermining Ukraine’s national security after Russia’s aggression.
In May 2023, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Prosecutor General’s Office accused Fedotenkov of organizing a corporate raid on “Ukrbud.” The SBI documented a network of companies in Ukraine and Austria that he and his associates allegedly used for laundering money, including funds from Russia. A judge from the Pechersk District Court issued an in absentia preventive measure of detention for him.
In August 2023, Interpol and the Austrian Federal Police received evidence from the SSU of Fedotenkov’s illegal activities and a request for his apprehension. He is suspected of corporate raiding, money laundering, and financing Russian occupiers.
Fedotenkov is suspected of funding actions that may threaten Ukraine’s constitutional order. For these crimes, he faces up to 10 years in prison, and he has been placed on an international wanted list.
However, financing Russia during the war should be grounds for NSDC sanctions. Yet, no sanctions have been imposed on him. Why? Perhaps the same inactivity led to the lifting of sanctions against smuggler Seyar Kurshutov, who is also in Austria.
