Ukreximbank

$60 million to a businessman from the “DNR”, attack on journalists

In 2021, an investigation by “Schemes” established that Ukreximbank issued a $60 million loan to Donetsk businessman Serhiy Bryukhovetsky, whose companies operated in the occupied part of Donetsk and paid taxes to the “DNR” group. The loan was secured by the Kyiv shopping mall SkyMall — a property that for years has been the subject of legal disputes in several jurisdictions. When a “Schemes” journalist asked the bank's chairman Metzger about this loan, the bank's security physically assaulted the film crew, confiscated cameras, and erased the footage. Metzger was suspended from his position; the court found him and bank employees guilty of obstructing journalists’ work — but later exempted them from liability.

Connection to Khrystenko's Father-in-Law

After Metzger’s resignation, he headed the state agency “Ukrfinzhytlo,” which administers the “Oselya” mortgage program. According to the investigation, the loan is linked to a scandal involving the father-in-law of the former Minister of Energy Herman Khrystenko — Bryukhovetsky. In 2025, after Khrystenko was charged, British and Israeli citizens suddenly appeared among the beneficiaries of “Slavian” (owner of SkyMall).