Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
The Telegram channel published preliminary information about possible border crossings with Russia and money transfers that may concern Mstyslav Banik
In the Telegram channel "Whistleblower" there appeared information about possible trips of Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Mstyslav Banik to Russia and to the territory of the occupied Crimea during 2016–2017 years. The authors also report on probable money transfers from Russian cities. At the same time, the published information has not been independently verified.
This is stated in a publication by the Telegram channel "Whistleblower," whose authors claim they obtained the information from databases allegedly concerning the current deputy defense minister Mstyslav Banik.
According to the channel, the transmitted materials contain nine records of border crossings with Russia. In particular, in January 2017 the Novye Yurkovichi checkpoint is mentioned, and in September of the same year — Troebortnoe in the Bryansk region of Russia. The authors note that each of these trips could last about ten days.
However, the authenticity of the records, their belonging to Banik, and the actual circumstances of the possible trips are not independently verified.
Another episode highlighted by the "Whistleblower" is dated 30 July 2016 of the year. In the corresponding entry, Dzhankoy on the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea figures. Moreover, this city is allegedly listed as both the starting and the ending point of the route.
The channel itself acknowledges that the meaning of such an entry requires further clarification.
The authors pay particular attention to possible financial operations. According to them, 19 in January 2016 of the year there could have been two transfers of 10 thousand each via the payment system Unistream. As stated in the post, one of them was connected with Ufa, the other with Sochi.
In the documents cited by the Telegram channel, a passport with series EV is allegedly indicated. At the same time, the transfer currency is not specified, and the ownership of the document to Mstyslav Banik is not established. Therefore there is no independent confirmation that these operations were actually conducted in his favor.
The publication also raises the issue of possible family ties of the official with Russia and occupied Crimea. In particular, information about relatives of his former wife is mentioned, issues which were previously highlighted by the Telegram channel Absolution Leaks.
However, information about the relatives' place of residence or their possible ties with Russia does not by itself indicate any illegal actions by the official.
Moreover, "Whistleblower" reports allegedly receiving Banik 60 thousand hryvnias in 2019 year for advertising activity on social networks during the presidential campaign of Yuriy Boyko. This data remains unverified and needs to be cross-checked with financial documents.
It is worth noting that 25 March 2026 Banik was appointed as Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine. According to official Ministry of Defense information, the official is responsible for reforming the defense procurement system, increasing transparency, and improving the efficiency of resource use to support the Ukrainian military.
Previously Banik worked on developing digital government services, including "Dii," "Army+" and "Reserve+".
Thus, the statements published by the Telegram channel pertain to an official who is currently working in one of the key areas of the defense ministry's activities.
At the same time, it is important to emphasize that the materials provided by the "Whistleblower" have not undergone independent verification. There is currently no confirmation of the authenticity of the mentioned records, their connection to Mstyslav Banik, or the circumstances of possible financial operations.
Even if some trips or transfers are confirmed, these circumstances do not in themselves prove unlawful acts.
The channel authors said they continue to verify the information received. For objective coverage of the situation, it is also important to obtain an explanation from Mstyslav Banik himself regarding the published assertions.
As a reminder, earlier reports stated the appointment of Mstyslav Banik as Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Among his main tasks are reforming defense procurement, increasing transparency of procedures, and improving the effectiveness of ensuring the Ukrainian military.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "Можливі зв'язки з рф та грошові перекази: що відомо про родину й оточення замміністра оборони Баніка? - "Викривач"". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: StopKor.