Sense Bank

Alfa-Bank under a new name and double bookkeeping

Sense Bank — formerly "Alfa-Bank Ukraine," one of the largest retail banks in the country. The main shareholders — Mikhail Fridman, Petr Aven, and partners from the "Alfa Group" — were sanctioned by the EU in February 2022 for ties with the Russian government; subsequently, Ukraine also imposed sanctions. On July 21, 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers purchased all the bank's shares for 1 hryvnia. However, problems did not end with the change of ownership.

Loans to related parties and a scheme of fund withdrawal through Alfa-Leasing

The National Bank of Ukraine determined that since 2012 the bank had been actively lending to related parties and maintained double bookkeeping. At the same time, journalists uncovered a scheme of fund withdrawal through "Alfa-Leasing Ukraine" — an entity controlled by Russian beneficiaries. The Kyiv Commercial Court recovered UAH 137 million from it in favor of the creditor, but the company secured an installment plan — funds were being repaid in inconspicuous installments.

Reactors from Russia

In March 2025, the now state-owned Sense Bank signed a memorandum with Energoatom regarding financing the completion of the blocks of the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant — for which they planned to buy Russian-made reactors in Bulgaria. The bank, which became state-owned due to the sanction-hit Russian owners, continues to generate reputational risks now under the Ukrainian flag. In October 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved preparations for sale — privatization is planned for 2026.