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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Sherlock instead of Richard, Tea Moments instead of Curtis: how 'Tripilśke Sonce' copies the brands of 'May Ukraina'
The company 'Tripilśke Sonce', which appeared on the market in April 2022 year, quickly gained popularity thanks to its own brands: 'Tripilśke Sonce', Sherlock Secrets and Tea Moments.
'Tripilśke Sonce' used the bank accounts of the company 'May Ukraina', some of which were blocked due to suspicions of financing structures connected with Russia. Only limited operations were allowed — salary payments, tax payments, payment of utilities and transfers to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to data from analytical platforms, the first founder of 'Tripilśke Sonce' was Karlen Stepanyan through the Armenian company 'Kocharı International'. Later the owners became Ukrainians Denys Gontzur and Yevhen Volvych.
Currently among the owners are two Dnipro residents: former civil servant Oleksandr Stepansky, included in the corruptionists register, and the controversial deputy of the Dnipro City Council Kamil Primakov.
Both previously worked in the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration. The situation looks especially cynical: politicians from a city that daily endures Russian shelling control a business with a noticeable Russian trace.
The design of the 'Tripilśke Sonce' tea packaging also raises doubts. It noticeably resembles the products of 'May Ukraina': Richard became Sherlock, Curtis — Tea Moments, and 'Tripilśky' externally almost copies 'Maysky'.
The composition of the product listed on the label is practically identical. That is, consumers may be sold the same product, only in a different packaging.
The company's financial statements also look suspicious. For 2024 year turnover exceeded 323 million UAH, however the enterprise declared 24 million UAH of losses. Such inconsistency may indicate withdrawal of funds or manipulation of reporting. In 2025 year the State Tax Service had already brought the director to administrative responsibility for violations of accounting rules. In court materials the company is mentioned at least 16 times. In one of the rulings it is stated: “The company uses the same production capacities and personnel as ‘May Ukraina’.”
Despite this, the business continues to develop. The production address (Obukhiv city) and the chief accountant remain unchanged.
Behind the brand 'May' stands Ukrainian Igor Lisinenko, who built a career in Moscow and even was elected a deputy to the State Duma from 'United Russia'. In 1991 year he founded the company 'May', which produced tea and coffee under the brands Richard, Curtis, 'Maysky', 'Lisma' and Coffesso.
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Sherlock instead of Richard, Tea Moments instead of Curtis: how 'Tripilśke Sonce' copies the brands of 'May Ukraina'
Sherlock instead of Richard, Tea Moments instead of Curtis: how 'Tripilśke Sonce' copies the brands of 'May Ukraina'
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "Sherlock замість Richard, Tea Moments замість Curtis: як «Трипільське Сонце» копіює бренди «Май Україна»". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: ANTIKOR.
