Halanternyk Volodymyr Illich

"The Gray Cardinal" of Odesa, founder of a criminal organization

An Odesa businessman who controls a significant part of Odesa's economy — the "Pryvoz" and "7th Kilometer" markets, the City Center shopping and entertainment complex, and resort facilities in Arkadia; his asset volume is estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars. Since 2017, he has lived abroad, officially holding no business or positions — all assets are owned through intermediaries. He was the arbitration manager of the Black Sea Shipping Company — an enterprise with 300 ships; vessels were sold through front companies, while Halanternyk himself remained "clean." According to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), in 2016–2019, the criminal organization he led ensured the transfer of land in Odesa to predetermined companies bypassing competitive bidding; total budget losses amounted to 689 million hryvnias.

NABU/SAP suspicion, in absentia arrest by the High Anti-Corruption Court, and flight to the West

Among the 16 figures in the case are the Mayor of Odesa Hennadiy Trukhanov, former Prosecutor of Odesa Oblast, and other city council officials; Halanternyk is considered the leader of the group. According to the investigation, he secured needed votes from Odesa City Council deputies in exchange for real estate or money — "understood agreements" were seized during NABU searches. In November 2021, he was declared internationally wanted; in December 2021, the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) placed him under in absentia arrest; his interests are represented by the lawyer of former president Yanukovych. In September 2025, the HACC initiated his in absentia trial.