Incident around the Trade Union Building: Serhiy Poznyak’s comment and ARMA’s position

The incident around the House of Veterans’ Trade Unions, which happened on the night of May 23, gained widespread public resonance. The participants in the conflict gave completely opposite interpretations of the events: the National Agency for Search and Asset Management (ARMA) accused the veterans of an “attempted raider seizure”, instead, representatives of the veteran community claim that they were dealing with a forceful invasion under the guise of a “changing of the guard”. His public position expressed Serhii Pozniak, veteran, sniper unit commander, entrepreneur and head of the Association of ATO Veteran Entrepreneurs.

Serhiy Pozniak’s position

He stated that he cannot leave unanswered the attempt to discredit the All-Ukrainian Trade Union of Defenders of Ukraine, which is a long-standing partner of the Association. He emphasized that the trade union unites people who not only fought for independence, but also today try to act responsibly and openly in public life. According to him, on that day the representatives of the trade union were engaged in the organization of events for the Marine Corps Day. In the evening, while leaving the premises, they saw a group of unknown persons who introduced themselves as the Komparitet security company. Together with them was a lawyer who had been living in the trade union building for some time. No official notification about the change of guard was received, so the actions of these persons were considered as an attempt of a raider invasion.

Pozniak drew attention to the fact that the police were immediately called. The law enforcement officers established that among the arriving “guards” were persons with criminal problems: three deserters and another man who was wanted. They, together with lawyer Natalia Rudych, were detained and taken to the district office. He noted that all this happened openly, on live broadcasts conducted by veterans, and this is proof that the trade union did not hide anything.

He also believes that ARMA’s claim of “property seizure” is baseless, unreliable and insulting to veterans. He sees this as an attempt to shift responsibility for the failure of communication and management decisions to those who behaved honestly. In his opinion, this is not only a slander, but also a blow to trust in institutions.

Pozniak reminded that there was a clear understanding between the head of the trade union Serhiy Bizov and the representatives of the manager: until May 23, no forceful actions should be taken against the object, until the meeting of the Trade Union Council takes place. He emphasized that such an agreement was announced publicly in the presence of veterans and on camera. That is why night penetration is considered a gross violation of promises and an act of betrayal.

He is particularly outraged by the fact that ARMA suggested in its publication that veterans are being used as cover for someone’s private interest. Pozniak considers such insinuations an insult to all servicemen who have preserved their dignity and are now striving to build a state based on openness and justice. He emphasized that veterans are not cardboard figures in other people’s scenarios, but citizens who are able to independently defend their interests and take responsibility.

He also denied the statement made in the same ARMA publication that every Ukrainian is supposed to give 1% of their income to the trade union. According to Pozniak, this is a manipulation: the contributions are voluntary, which is clearly stipulated by the current legislation.

He is convinced that the purpose of such publications is not only to discredit a specific organization, but also to humiliate the very idea of ​​protecting the rights of veterans. This is an attempt to create the impression that veterans’ associations are dishonest instruments of influence, rather than communities that organize themselves to protect their members.

Pozniak assured that his Association together with the defense union will not leave this situation unanswered. They are already preparing an appeal to the people’s deputies and the President, demanding a public refutation of ARMA’s statements and an apology to the veterans. He emphasized that the state institution, which should work in the interests of the people, cannot be a place for under-the-carpet games and manipulations.

Vieteran believes that ARMA should be headed by a person who understands not only the legal mechanisms, but also the nature of fraternity, and will not allow dubious managers to dictate their rules under the guise of a state sign. In conclusion, he appealed to everyone who will read his statement not to remain silent, because the truth is the main thing left by veterans after the front. It is she who gives them the strength to rebuild the country, remaining true to themselves. And that is why, Pozniak is convinced, the community of veterans will never allow the humiliation of those who fought for Ukraine – neither in war nor in peaceful life.

How ARMA explained the events surrounding the House of Trade Unions

Against the background of the high-profile event near the House of Trade Unions of Ukraine, which caused opposing assessments from the veteran community and state institutions, the National Agency for Search and Asset Management (ARMA) made public an official statement regarding the circumstances that, according to their data, took place on May 22.

ARMA reported that an attempt to illegally seize seized property — a trade union building in Kyiv — was recorded at night. The report states that a group of unidentified persons in camouflage clothing, threatening to use force and weapons, tried to maintain control over the object, referring to their involvement in the All-Ukrainian Sportsmen’s Trade Union. The property manager promptly reported the incident to both the agency and law enforcement agencies, after which a criminal complaint was filed.

ARMA emphasized that, in its opinion, it is especially dangerous to try to involve the military and veterans in such actions — as an emotional tool to legitimize attempts to regain control over property that is under seizure. Instead of actually supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine — by transferring facilities to rehabilitation centers or directing funds to support defenders — some representatives of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, as the agency claims, resort to public campaigns that have, from ARMA’s point of view, signs of political games and destructive manipulation.

In its statement, the agency emphasized that it acts within the limits of the law. The management of the seized property, in particular the House of Trade Unions, was transferred to the “KAMParity Management Company” consortium based on the results of an open tender. All the necessary documents have been signed, and physical security of the object has been ensured.

ARMA also placed special emphasis on the systemic problem — the long-term use of state-owned facilities by the Federation of Trade Unions, including sanatoriums, hotels and recreation centers, which were maintained at the expense of citizens’ contributions. The statement states that Ukrainians have been deducting 1% of their income for the benefit of trade union organizations for decades, and some of these facilities were later lost – sold, abandoned or appropriated. In this regard, ARMA mentioned the decision of the High Anti-Corruption Court against one of the former heads of the Federal Police Service, seeing it as a confirmation of the scale of corruption within the institution.

The Agency is convinced that any attempt to return these objects to the disposal of persons associated with such practices is not only morally unacceptable, but also legally unfounded. The statement emphasizes that it has already initiated the use of a number of seized objects — in particular in the field of sanatorium-resort treatment — for the purpose of rehabilitating servicemen. In this context, draft law No. 11009 is mentioned, which provides for the transfer of relevant assets for the needs of veterans and the army.

In the end, the agency confirmed that the state will act decisively, and that the seized property should not serve private interests, but the Ukrainian people, especially those who today defend the state at the front. In this regard, ARMA assured that its actions are aimed at realizing this goal, and that its position is supported by other state bodies.