Ukraine’s gambling commission chief arrested over ties to Russian online casinos
During searches in the residence of Rudyi who is facing charges of ‘aiding the enemy state, law enforcement team has found cocaine and other drugs.
The DBR said Rudy failed to revoke the license of a Russian-owned online casino after multiple assessments identified its operation as a “threat to national security” as it may have personal data of Ukrainian military personnel, which could have been leaked to Russia.
The casino in question is believed to continue operating in Russia and in Russian-occupied territories. The investigation argued that the owners of the casino funded Russian forces and so-called “war veterans” of the “special military operation”.
While officials failed to name the casino, evidence points to Pin-Up whose owners and top executives had been earlier accused of collaborating with Russia.
In a related move, over 2.6 billion hryvnias were seized from accounts linked to the casino. These funds were redirected by Ukraine’s Asset Recovery and Management Agency to purchase military bonds, supporting the nation’s defense efforts.
Amendments to Ukraine’s enforcement proceedings legislation, initiated by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, have entered into force. Among other measures, the reform provides for the automated lifting of attachments on bank accounts immediately after debts in enforcement proceedings have been fully settled. The main practical benefit for citizens is the complete elimination of the need to contact an enforcement officer in person and wait for paper decisions once the debt has been paid.
The 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade has received another batch of supplies as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative. This time, the military received seven quad bikes and four mobile shower and bath units.
In my previous column, I wrote about social innovations in Ukraine. Those innovations are part of civic resilience and the democratization of security, which Europe is paying close attention to right now. The EU is trying to work out how to spread responsibility for its own security across society as a whole, rather than leaving it to institutions alone. It is looking for concrete ways to bring ordinary people into the work of defense and resistance.
Petro Poroshenko’s lawyers have appealed to the High Anti-Corruption Court demanding that NABU be obligated to register proceedings regarding the fact of exerting influence on the court and to recognize Petro Poroshenko as a victim in the case of the Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Iryna Mudra, due to her pressure on Supreme Court judges who were considering a lawsuit to overturn sanctions.
Internationally recognized brands and financial institutions should direct capital to Ukraine now, not waiting for the hostilities to end. This was emphasized by Rinat Akhmetov, president of FC Shakhtar, during a working visit to UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, where he met with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.