After the high-profile release of the “Mindich tapes,” defence contractor Fire Point — which had secured billion-dollar state contracts — reportedly shifted into full information defence mode. Its owner, Denys Shtilerman, is said to have launched a large-scale effort to remove online investigations into disputed tenders and his alleged links to individuals mentioned in the tapes.
We, in turn, are publishing the investigation that Denys Shtilerman and his accomplices are so diligently trying to hide from law enforcement and the public.
The individuals involved in the “Mindich tapes” Ihor Fursenko (“Ryoshyk”), Denys Shtilerman (“Elektronik”), and Ihor Khmelyov (“Shmel”) have a direct connection to the company Fire Point. This major contractor for the Ukrainian army is known for its strike UAVs and the development of the “Flamingo” missile. The company has signed contracts with the state worth $1 billion, which accounts for approximately 10% of the Defence Forces’ procurement this year.
This was reported by a prosecutor from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) during a session of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) regarding the selection of preventive measures for the individuals involved. Details were clarified by Member of Parliament Yaroslav Zheleznyak on his YouTube channel.
Fursenko and Fire Point
According to the transcript of a conversation recorded in March 2025 with another suspect, Oleksandr Tsukerman (“Sugarman”), Fursenko confirmed that he works for Fire Point. The prosecutor noted that he held the position of administrator in the company.
It should be noted that Fursenko personally benefited from working at the defence enterprise – the ability to cross the border during martial law. Thus, from January 18 to August 22, 2025, he left Ukraine 26 times. At the same time, “Ryoshyk” expressed a desire to receive a “badge like others” with the inscription “Firepint, leading specialist.”
He is also remembered for complaining about how difficult it was to carry a box with $1.6 million through the streets of Kyiv.
Shtilerman and Fire Point
Denys Shtilerman referred to himself as the majority shareholder and chief designer of Fire Point and claimed he refused to sell his share to Mindich. However, in the official registers, Yehor Skalyha is listed as the owner – according to Zheleznyak, a childhood friend of “Elektronik.”
During the HACC session, the SAPO prosecutor presented a transcript of negotiations between Tsukerman and Lesya Ustymenko (an employee of the “back office” where the received funds were laundered), which mentioned a meeting involving “Elektronik,” former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, “Seryozha Suddya (Serious Judge),” and “some Pole.” During the conversation, Tsukerman ordered to “give 300 to Che Guevara,” presumably meaning $300,000 for Chernyshov.
In another conversation, Tsukerman identified Denys Shtilerman as one of the direct participants in the corruption scheme.
Khmelyov and Fire Point
Yaroslav Zheleznyak refers to “Shmel” as another likely co-owner. He has not only known Mindich for decades but also conducts joint business with him.
In particular, Ihor Khmelyov has a registered business under Mindich’s wife for the sale of branded clothing, Kameron. Additionally, the men had other joint business interests:
- 2008 – Forent LLC (Khmelyov – guarantor, Mindich – $75,000 in investments);
- 2017-2021 – “Business Tandem Group,” “Atletbud,” “Olympic Hill”;
- Eventus Management: 2014-2016 – Mindich as company director, 2019-2023 – Khmelyov becomes a co-owner.
At the same time, Yaroslav Zheleznyak emphasizes that the involvement of the corruption scandal figures in one of Ukraine’s largest defence contractors does not indicate abuses within Fire Point itself. Moreover, there has been no criticism in the media regarding the weapons produced by this company.
