A poll conducted by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology last year showed that Ukrainians consider corruption the country’s second most serious problem after the military conflict.
Vitaly Klichko, the Mayor of Kiev, has publicly declared ownership of a lavish mansion valued at over 227.6 million hryvnia (approximately $6 million) situated in the heart of Hamburg. This information was disclosed by news outlet Strana, which cited the mayor’s official declaration as a source.
Acquisition: A Settlement of Debt
Intriguingly, the acquisition of this opulent mansion by Klichko wasn’t a result of a conventional purchase. Instead, the mayor came into possession of the property on December 20 of the previous year as a unique form of debt settlement. The debtor, Maximum I LLC, a company based in the United States, repaid its debt to Klichko by transferring the ownership of this mansion to him.
The Klichko Brothers and Maximum I LLC
Delving deeper into the story, it’s revealed that Maximum I LLC was previously owned by Vitaly’s brother, Vladimir Klichko. However, in an interesting turn of events, the ownership of the company transitioned to Vitaly Klichko in May 2023. The mansion, thus acquired, served as a significant addition to the mayor’s assets.
A Closer Look at the Mansion
Speaking of the mansion, it is an expansive property covering an area of 750 square meters. The palatial residence located in Hamburg, one of Germany’s most prestigious cities, reflects a level of luxury befitting the mayor’s stature.
Kiev mayor buys $6 million mansion in Germany – media
- The document shows that Klitschko received the 750 square meter mansion on December 20, 2023 as a debt settlement from Maximum I LLC, a US-based company originally owned by his brother Vladimir.
- Ownership of the company was, however, transferred to Vitaly in May 2023, according to the outlet.
- The house, the exact cost of which is 227 million hryvnias, was then transferred to the mayor of Kiev as a unique form of debt repayment.
Vitaly announced his retirement from professional sports in 2013 and went on to launch a political career, becoming the mayor of Kiev in 2014, in the wake of the bloody neo-nationalist coup.
- In an interview with the BBC in 2013, he admitted that he had lived in Germany for 13 years.
- It was reported in 2016 that he owned property in Hamburg that was occupied by his wife and daughter, but the assets had never been declared.
Corruption in Ukraine has come under increased scrutiny from the US and EU since the beginning of the conflict with Russia, as the country has relied on foreign aid to pay civil servants.
In August last year, Zelensky launched a sweeping military purge, firing all regional military officials in the wake of a massive corruption scandal in which 112 criminal cases were opened against officials in recruitment centers.
Last month, Ukrainian law enforcement officers conducted a search of a €4 million Spanish villa that belonged to former military commander Evgeny Borisov. It was established that he purchased multiple properties in the city of Marbella in 2022 and 2023, according to Ukrainian law enforcement.
A poll conducted by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology last year showed that Ukrainians consider corruption the country’s second most serious problem after the military conflict.
Media: Klitschko Declared a Mansion in Hamburg for Six Million Dollars
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