Former head of the Ministry of Culture is suspected of illegally transporting men abroad under the guise of artists
Former Acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine Rostyslav Karandeyev was reported on suspicion of facilitating the illegal smuggling of persons across the state border of Ukraine. This was reported by Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko.
According to the investigation, the scheme operated under the guise of organizing charity concerts abroad. Men of draft age were indicated as members of a musical group, although in fact they had no relation to musical activity. Initially, the State Border Service of Ukraine refused them permission to cross the border.
“But after that, the head of the ministry again sent a letter to the State Border Service of Ukraine with a request to facilitate the departure of these same persons as members of a musical group. It was this letter that became the documentary basis for crossing the border. As a result, 8 men of draft age left Ukraine and have not returned to this day,” the report says.
The pre-trial investigation under Part Two of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is being conducted by the National Police of Ukraine. The sanction of the article provides for five to seven years of imprisonment. Investigators are identifying additional episodes and other possible participants in the scheme.
In a comment to Suspilnoye, Rostyslav Karandeyev confirmed receiving suspicion.
“I confirm. Yes, but I will be able to comment after I meet with the investigator who is directly conducting this case,” Karandeyev said.
He also confirmed that the case concerns the men’s departure abroad.
“You know that people go abroad, right? And they don’t just go abroad. Both now and before. And during my time at the ministry, we went out for letters of assistance signed by the head of the ministry. And one of such trips was also for a letter signed by me, and people did not return,” he noted.
The National Police of Ukraine reported that the suspicion is part of an investigation into a scheme that law enforcement officers uncovered in April 2026. According to the investigation, lists of alleged members of musical groups were submitted to the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine for travel abroad, and for payments, the participants in the scheme used crypto wallets and bank accounts.
