The name of Rostyslav Shurma, former Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has entered the public domain not only due to his government positions or achievements in the commercial sector but also through a series of high-profile scandals, journalistic investigations, and resonant “controversies.” Since his appointment to a senior position in the OP in 2021, where he was responsible for the economic direction, public and media attention has been drawn not only to his initiatives but also to shadowy connections and potential conflicts of interest.

Among the most discussed topics is Shurma’s alleged involvement in the problematic activities of the “Alliance” bank, as well as other news events that raise serious questions about integrity and transparency in the highest echelons of power.

What are the key scandals associated with Rostyslav Shurma? What is wrong with the “Alliance” bank? What is generally known about this person? The agency UA.News has delved into the matter.

“Alliance” Bank: Cover-up schemes and hidden interests

Central to the scandals surrounding Rostyslav Shurma is undoubtedly his alleged role as a kind of “shadow patron” and “gray eminence” of the “Alliance” bank. Numerous journalistic investigations by several domestic publications indicate that the former Deputy Head of the Office of the President may have used his influence to protect this financial institution, particularly the head of its supervisory board, Pavlo Shcherban.

There are assumptions that Shurma and Shcherban share not only business ties but also very close personal relationships—possibly even “kumivstvo” (a close bond akin to godparenthood). According to journalists, their acquaintance dates back over 10 years and likely originated during the structuring of so-called “scheme deals.”

This connection, as investigators claim, provides the “Alliance” bank with de facto immunity from state and law enforcement scrutiny. Despite systemic violations, disregard for NBU regulations, numerous corruption scandals, and suspicions of unsatisfactory financial health, the bank has inexplicably managed to avoid serious sanctions or pressure from law enforcement agencies. Moreover, representatives of the banking institution assert that everything is fine with their operations and there are no issues with finances or anything else.

In particular, “Alliance” was implicated in a high-profile case involving an attempt to bribe NABU detectives and SAPO prosecutors by lawyer Oleksiy Nosov. The purpose of this bribe, as reported, was to evade accountability in a case concerning damages inflicted on the state energy company “Ukrenergo.”

Despite such glaring facts, as well as fines imposed by the NBU for violating financial monitoring rules and submitting false financial reports, the “Alliance” bank continues to operate calmly. Furthermore, it has avoided the introduction of temporary administration, which is a standard NBU practice in cases of such systemic violations. Journalists suggest that it is precisely Rostyslav Shurma’s influence that allows the “Alliance” bank to stay afloat and continue its operations despite all accusations.

Pavlo Shcherban, although not officially the main shareholder of the bank (formally, it is Oleksandr Sosis), is considered by anti-corruption investigators to be the person who makes all key decisions at “Alliance.” His banking career spans nearly two decades, including work at financial institutions such as “Prominvestbank,” “Volodymyrsky,” “Pivdenkombank,” and others.

Notably, some of these banks have been characterized in the media as “scheme-driven” or “money-laundering” entities, which heightens suspicions about the current activities of “Alliance.” Shcherban has headed the bank’s supervisory board since 2021, and in July 2023, he was allowed to acquire over 25% of the financial institution’s shares, likely further solidifying his influence.

However, according to journalists’ assumptions, Rostyslav Shurma’s interests extend far beyond the banking sector. There are grounds to believe that Shurma also has hidden business interests in other companies associated with Pavlo Shcherban.

Business interests of Rostyslav Shurma

Among these companies, the following are mentioned:

1. Gas extraction company “Viva Exploration.” Although this company, which holds a license for oil and gas extraction in Ivano-Frankivsk region, formally belongs to Shcherban and Serhiy Dumenko, it consistently shows significant losses. This suggests that the real investor, who continues to inject funds into this unprofitable activity, may be Rostyslav Shurma himself.

2. Elevator in Khorol (LLC “Alliance Elevator”). Recently acquired by Shcherban, this elevator in Poltava region may be seen as a strategic step toward integration into the agricultural sector. Journalists suggest that Rostyslav Shurma may also be behind this acquisition, viewing the agricultural sector as a promising direction for business activity.

3. IT cluster. Pavlo Shcherban has also invested in a number of IT companies specializing in the development of banking products and providing services to retail chains. Given Shurma’s interest in the digitalization of the economy, the media speculate that this high-tech cluster may be part of his investments.

4. Other industries. Journalistic investigations also mention LLC “Tabakos Trade” (metal scrap trading) and LLC “Navium Nafta” (import and trade of petroleum products), where, according to media reports, Shcherban and Shurma have likely not yet finalized their development strategies for these businesses.

Such diverse and significant business activity by Pavlo Shcherban, which does not always align with the role of the head of a supervisory board of a bank facing objective difficulties, raises suspicions. It is possible that behind all these investments stands a more influential figure than Shcherban himself. And that figure is likely Rostyslav Shurma.

Zaporizhzhya scandal: car wash on prohibited land

In addition to financial schemes, Rostyslav Shurma’s name has been linked to another resonant scandal related to an allegedly illegal attempt, according to the local community, to build a car wash in Zaporizhzhya. According to online information, the company “Kairos 2020” planned to construct a car wash in the Southern microdistrict of the city. The land plot was leased to this company until 2030 with the designated purpose of hosting a shopping complex.

The main issue is that the land is located in the Zh-4 zone, designated for mixed multi-apartment high-rise residential and public development. According to urban planning norms, this zone permits the construction of shopping centers and household service enterprises, but the construction of auto service facilities, such as car washes, is strictly prohibited. Car washes are allowed only in the Zh-1 zone, located literally across the road.

The connection to Rostyslav Shurma in this scandal is traced through a complex network of affiliated individuals and companies. The owner of “Kairos 2020” is a person named Olena Yehorova. However, the company’s phone number fully matches that of the company “Solar Energy Alliance.” And the beneficiary of the latter is Oleh Shurma, Rostyslav Shurma’s brother.

Moreover, the founder of “Solar Energy Alliance” is JSC “ZNVCIF Helios,” whose director, according to registry data, is Rostyslav Shurma himself. It is worth noting that earlier, in 2020, the ultimate beneficiary and director of both companies was the same person—Yanina Kravchenko, who is not widely known to the public.

Local residents have expressed strong opposition to the construction. The plot currently hosts a green area and an open parking lot, which is convenient and frequently used by motorists in Zaporizhzhya.

The community actively collected signatures against the development and appealed to city council deputies. This incident vividly demonstrates potential conflicts of interest and attempts to bypass existing legislation using connections with high-ranking officials.

Rostyslav Shurma: brief biography

Before his appointment as Deputy Head of the OP, Rostyslav Shurma had extensive experience in business, including in leadership positions. He graduated from the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy with a degree in “Economics and Entrepreneurship” and also studied at the Hetman Kyiv Economic University and the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management.

His professional journey included work at international companies such as Procter & Gamble and BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP LIMITED. From 2006, he worked at the METINVEST Group, and from 2012 to 2019, he served as the General Director of JSC “Zaporizhzhya Metallurgical Plant ’Zaporizhstal’.” In 2021, before his appointment to the OP, he was an advisor in the Office on a non-staff basis.

This biographical background, particularly his experience in large business structures, clearly provided Shurma with significant knowledge in economics and management. However, in light of numerous accusations and journalistic investigations, his past experience may be interpreted not only as a positive but also as a source of potential connections and schemes. This creates a paradox: the experience that should be an advantage becomes a cause for concern regarding conflicts of interest and unethical business practices.

In summary, the name of the former Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Rostyslav Shurma, is increasingly associated not with his initiatives or public activities but with a series of resonant scandals that cast doubt on integrity and transparency in power. These news events create a persistent negative image around Shurma’s figure and attract constant interest from journalists and anti-corruption investigators.