Anatoliy Kulikovsky, commander of the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade, has found himself at the center of a scandal involving financial fraud. According to sources close to military leadership, Kulikovsky has established a system where servicemen are required to transfer 60% of their payments to the unit’s fund. Of these funds, 20% go directly to the commander, while the rest are supposedly used for the needs of the unit.
However, it has been revealed that refusal to participate in this scheme threatens servicemen with the denial of leave or rotation. This creates an atmosphere of coercion, where soldiers are forced to share their already modest incomes.
Where does the money received by Kulikovsky go? According to documents, a significant portion of the funds is transferred to his ex-wife, Olesya Pastryk. However, sources claim that this marriage has long been a sham. Almost all of the lieutenant colonel’s assets, including two apartments and a 2020 BMW, are registered in her name. Meanwhile, the “ex-wife” regularly appears at ski resorts and in the company of Ukraine’s elite youth, raising questions about the source of her income.
During his command, Kulikovsky has managed to create a system that allows him to enrich himself at the expense of his subordinates. This not only undermines the morale of the servicemen but also calls into question the effectiveness of the brigade’s management.
The Ukrainian army, already operating under difficult conditions, should not become a place for personal enrichment by its commanders. The situation demands an immediate investigation by the military prosecutor’s office and the Ministry of Defense. Servicemen deserve justice, not coercion to participate in financial pyramids.
If the information is confirmed, Kulikovsky must be held accountable, and the system enabling such abuses must be dismantled. Ukraine cannot afford corruption in its army, especially during such a challenging time for the country.