Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, authorities in Kyiv have taken action against individuals accused of supporting Moscow.
Politicians, business figures, and religious leaders with suspected ties to the Kremlin have been investigated, sanctioned, or charged.
Ukraine has banned pro-Russian political parties and taken steps to limit Russian influence, particularly in religious institutions. Now, another high-profile figure has been charged in connection with these efforts.
Fled Abroad
Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has announced charges against former lawmaker and businessman Vadym Novynskyi.
He has been charged in absentia with high treason and incitement to religious hatred, according to Kyiv Independent.
The SBI did not mention him by name, but details from their statement and an accompanying video confirmed his identity.
Novynskyi was a member of the now-banned pro-Russian Opposition Bloc and a major supporter of the Moscow-backed church in Ukraine.
He was one of Ukraine’s wealthiest individuals for years, with Forbes estimating his net worth at $1.4 billion in early 2023.
Authorities claim Novynskyi has been promoting Russian narratives since Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
"The MP tried to form anti-government and pro-Russian sentiments in Ukrainian society, justify Russian aggression, etc.," the SBI stated.
Law enforcement officials described Novynskyi as a key figure in the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) in Ukraine.
In December 2022, Ukraine imposed sanctions on him and other leaders of the Moscow-affiliated Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Investigators say Novynskyi followed orders from Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the ROC. They claim he maintained a close relationship with him and was hierarchically subordinate.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion, Novynskyi resigned from Ukraine’s parliament and fled abroad. Ukrainian authorities say he continues to assist Russia in spreading propaganda.
