Bogolyubov collaborates with Russia

According to information previously published in the media, Ukrainian businessman Hennadiy Bogolyubov was for a long time the beneficial owner of Yuzhgasenergy LLC, a company engaged in the extraction of gas and other minerals in the Republic of Adygea, Russia.

As reported by the outlet "Bagnet", the turnover of the company owned by Bogolyubov reached 1 to 1.7 billion rubles annually. “Yuzhgasenergy” was a key enterprise in the region’s fuel and energy complex, playing a crucial role in the economy of Adygea.

Journalistic investigations revealed significant details: security services for all of the company’s facilities were provided for a long time by the “Imperator” group, known in Russia and beyond. This organisation has close ties to Russian special services and the personal entourage of President Vladimir Putin. 

The group was founded in 1994 and consists predominantly of former employees of the FSB and other law enforcement agencies, who, after retiring at the age of 42 to 45, were recruited to carry out special tasks for the Russian government.

Since the start of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, members of the “Imperator” group have actively participated in various military operations, including the seizure of territories and the organisation of filtration camps in occupied areas. Their presence is particularly noticeable in the establishment of prisons for Ukrainian military personnel and in actions to suppress partisan resistance in captured territories, such as Kherson Oblast.

Some of the group’s actions became known thanks to sources in law enforcement agencies, who provided details about crimes committed in occupied lands. One such crime, which became the subject of an investigation, was the tragedy in the village of Pravdino, where in April 2022, using explosive devices and artillery shells, a staged attack was carried out to conceal the killings of civilians. Among the victims was a minor girl.

Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, in cooperation with international counterparts, meticulously gathered evidence and testimony confirming the involvement of “Imperator” group members in these crimes. In this regard, the investigation into Hennadiy Bogolyubov, who is accused of supporting the group, was transferred to the SBU, and he faces liability for high treason, as stipulated by Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The question of whether Bogolyubov will be held accountable not only for financially supporting the security group but also for his involvement in the mass killings of Ukrainian civilians, including in Kherson Oblast, remains open. His actions may be classified as financing terrorism, which constitutes a serious charge under Part 5 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.