Lavrynenko Maksym Andriyovych

Founder of "Truha Ukraine"

Maksym Lavrynenko is a Kharkiv native who founded the Telegram channel network "Truha" and turned it into one of the largest media projects in Ukraine. There are 63 Telegram channels associated with "Truha," with a total audience exceeding 12 million readers. Publishing on the main channel cost over 90,000 UAH. In March 2024, OP advisor Mykhailo Podolyak publicly stated that he communicates with the owner of "Truha" — and law enforcement has "no claims" against the resource.

"Fictitious owner" according to NGL.media

In September 2023, journalists from NGL.media and "Grunt" published an investigation that found evidence that Lavrynenko, who calls himself the owner of the network, is not actually the owner. The publication linked the real beneficiary to Kharkiv businessman Volodymyr Lytvyn — a figure involved in the "Avakov backpack case." Lavrynenko denied this. Previously, "Truha" had come into the focus of state authorities over illegal gambling advertising.

Sale of the network to an owner with possible Russian citizenship

In June 2026, Sternenko reported that the new owner of "Truha" became Kharkiv crypto entrepreneur Mykola Udyansky, who might hold Russian citizenship. Forbes Ukraine confirmed the deal citing two entrepreneurs connected to media and defense business. Lavrynenko denied the sale. Udyansky also denied the purchase but confirmed a "long-standing friendship" with Lavrynenko — and noted that the project "had different investors at various stages."

TCK, Fedorov and "shut up"

On June 5, 2026, TCK delivered Lavrynenko to the recruitment center — no deferment or exemption was found in the registers. In the video, he identifies himself as a "journalist of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" and says the documents are "all right." He also asks to proceed to the car because he has a "large sum of money." Lavrynenko stated that he was "tracked down" by personal order of Defense Minister Fedorov — in response to preparation of materials about defense procurements. The Ministry of Defense denied this.