Possible links to Russia and money transfers: what is known about Deputy Defense Minister Banik’s family and circle? – "Vykryvach"

The Telegram channel “Vykryvach” published information about possible trips by Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defense Mstyslav Banik to Russia and to the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea during the years 2016–2017. The authors also report alleged money transfers from Russian cities. At the same time, the published information has not been independently verified.

This is stated in a post by the Telegram channel “Vykryvach,” whose authors claim to have obtained database information that allegedly concerns the current Deputy Minister of Defense Mstyslav Banik.

According to the channel, the provided materials contain nine records of border crossings with Russia. In particular, in January of 2017 a checkpoint called Novi Yurkivichi is mentioned, and in September of the same year — Trojebortne in Bryansk Oblast, Russia. The authors note that each of these trips could have lasted about ten days.

However, the authenticity of the records, their belonging specifically to Banik, and the actual circumstances of the possible trips have not yet been confirmed by independent sources.

Another episode highlighted by “Vykryvach” is dated 30 July 2016. The corresponding record features Dzhankoy in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea. Moreover, this city is allegedly listed as both the starting point and the end point of the route.

The channel itself acknowledges that the meaning of such a record requires further clarification.

The authors paid particular attention to possible financial transactions. According to their data, on 19 January 2016 two transfers of 10 thousand each may have been made through the Unistream payment system. As stated in the post, one of them was linked to Ufa, the other to Sochi.

The documents cited by the Telegram channel allegedly list a passport with series EV. At the same time, the currency of the transfers is not indicated, and the document’s belonging to Mstyslav Banik has not been established. Therefore, there is no independent confirmation that these transactions were indeed made for his benefit.

The publication also raises the issue of possible family ties of the official to Russia and occupied Crimea. In particular, information is mentioned about relatives of his former wife, which had previously been covered by the Telegram channel Absolution Leaks.

However, information about the relatives’ place of residence or their possible ties to Russia by itself does not indicate any unlawful actions by the official.

In addition, “Vykryvach” reports that Banik allegedly received 60 thousand hryvnias in 2019 for advertising activity on social networks during Yuriy Boyko’s presidential campaign. These data also remain unverified and need to be compared with financial documents.

It is worth noting that on 25 March 2026 Mstyslav Banik was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Defense’s official information, the official is responsible for reforming the defense procurement system, increasing its transparency, and improving the efficiency of resource use to equip Ukrainian armed forces.

Previously Banik worked on the development of digital government services, including Diia, Army+ and Reserve+.

Thus, the claims published by the Telegram channel concern an official who is currently working on one of the key areas of the defense ministry’s activities.

At the same time, it is important to emphasize that the materials presented by “Vykryvach” 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 the possible financial transactions.

Even if some trips or transfers are confirmed, such circumstances alone do not prove the commission of any offense.

The Telegram channel’s authors say they continue to verify the information they received. For an objective presentation of the situation, it is also important to obtain an explanation from Mstyslav Banik himself regarding the published claims.

Recall that Banik was previously reported to have been appointed Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Among his main tasks are reforming defense procurement, increasing the transparency of procedures, and improving the effectiveness of supplying the Ukrainian military.