Soboliev Vyacheslav Oleksandrovych

"Donetsk" businessman-deputy, founder of "Obzhora", father of son killed in an assassination attempt

Originally from Yenakiieve (born 1972), Master of Sports in cycling, Candidate of Economic Sciences. Founder of the Donetsk supermarket chain "Obzhora" (sold in 2007). Career in Donetsk region: deputy and deputy mayor of Donetsk (2005–06, formerly with BYuT), state inspector of the National Security and Defense Council (2006–07), then director of the State Enterprise "Naftogaz Networks" and deputy chairman of the Management Board of NJSC "Naftogaz" (since 2010). Since 2015 — deputy of the Kyiv Regional Council from BPP "Solidarity", owner of the Kyiv restaurant "Mario".

2019 Assassination Attempt

On December 1, 2019, his Range Rover was fired upon in the center of Kyiv; his 3-year-old son Oleksandr died — the attack's target was Soboliev himself. Suspects were detained; Interpol announced a Russian national, Yusup Abuyev, wanted as the organizer.

"Russian trace" and assets

His second wife is the daughter of Russian senator and pharmaceutical magnate Boris Shpigel. Security services suspected Soboliev of holding Russian citizenship — which he denied. Media outlets ("Slidstvo.Info") reported that his car belonged to a company involved in a case concerning financing terrorism in Donbas, and linked "Obzhora" with supplies to the "DNR". He declared apartments in the UAE and a house in the USA; according to media, he did not disclose a Swiss bank account.