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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Veterans call for oversight of Odesa city authorities and claim there is a shadow hierarchy in the mayor’s office
"All-Ukrainian Union of Defenders in the Odesa Region" has been seeking representation of the veteran community on the executive committee of the Odesa mayor’s office for six months. The organization enjoys support from veterans and the council deputies, but not from the city authorities, who apparently do not want to allow veterans to exercise oversight and participate in decision-making — they’ve likely grown accustomed to surrounding themselves with godfathers, friends, and relatives.
"Let’s start with Acting Mayor Ihor Koval. I’ve had many private conversations with him. To be frank: he’s a zero-person, someone who has neither authority nor influence and does not run the city. Instead, all the leadership of the mayor’s office is concentrated in the hands of his first deputy — Oleksandr Filatov. But Filatov is only an executor. We have unraveled their entire shadow network.
His activities are overseen by a certain Mr. Serhiy — a person who sets goals and tasks for Filatov. For this syndicate to operate with impunity, Filatov has a double capital “cover”: a certain Oleksandr who negotiates with law enforcement, and the fixer Vasya, who is Filatov’s man.
Beneath them is a clear vertical of tribute collectors for each direction:
▪️Kostyantyn Safoshyn — Filatov’s godfather (they worked together at Infoksvodokanal). Despite his status as a former head of the trade department, he now acts as the group’s shadow treasurer. He is the one who collects cash from entrepreneurs for installing kiosks and for street trading.
▪️Oleksiy Botezat — former adviser to Governor Maksym Stepanov, currently acting deputy mayor. He controls beautification and municipal services. He takes kickbacks from subordinate communal enterprises.
▪️Artem Zakharov — acting director of the municipal enterprise “City Heat Supply of Odesa,” a Filatov associate. He is already named in criminal cases under articles 191 and 364 of the Criminal Code. The financial flows of this municipal enterprise are controlled by his adviser Holovyn.
▪️Nadiya Novikova — acting chief architect. She collects tribute for “resolving issues” related to technical development of land plots and construction.
▪️Vakhtang Gvazava — a new face, but not by chance. First deputy head of the road management department. He is responsible for the regular collection of kickbacks from reconstruction and repair of Odesa roads.
Special attention should be paid to Oleksandr Filatov’s professional path. We have all the information about him, which we will certainly make public. But there is one very telling detail on his record: almost everyone who worked alongside Filatov is now either in prison or on the run," — states a representative of the "All-Ukrainian Union of Defenders in the Odesa Region."
"This scheme is no longer just rumors but a ready-made dossier for investigators. And it will definitely land on their desks. To be continued," — the All-Ukrainian Union of Defenders in the Odesa Region summarizes.
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