MP Yuriy Shapovalov may have been linked to tanker purchases for Russia

Recently, it has come to light in Ukraine that People's Deputy Yuriy Shapovalov may have connections to illegal activities involving the purchase of tankers for transporting Russian oil.

 An investigation being conducted by law enforcement agencies claims that Shapovalov may have conspired with businessman Vitaliy Marchenko, who controls several companies involved in dubious schemes.

Vitaliy Marchenko's role in oil schemes

Vitaliy Marchenko, a businessman from Kremenchuk, is the owner of the "VM-Groupe" corporate group, as well as several organisations linked to the transport of oil and petroleum products. According to the investigation, Marchenko may have used his business empire to create a "shadow" fleet that transported Russian oil in circumvention of sanctions.

His structure includes several companies, such as LLC "Alfa Group 77", LLC "Energoresurs" and others, which are suspected of illegal activities related to bypassing international restrictions.

Alleged cooperation with Yuriy Shapovalov

According to the investigation, Shapovalov may have entered into a criminal conspiracy with Marchenko, assisting the latter in implementing the scheme. In their correspondence, the People's Deputy stated that "petroleum products produced outside Russia are not subject to EU sanctions". 

Marchenko, in turn, allegedly expressed joy at such a message. Also, according to the investigation, Shapovalov sent links to advertisements for the sale of oil tankers in Turkey, proposing to discuss the possibility of purchasing them for transporting petroleum products, including from Russia.

Marchenko's tanker fleet

Marchenko and his companies own a number of oil tankers which, according to the investigation, were used for transporting oil. Here is a list of some of them:

• "Oris Marine" (IMO 9179488) — acquired in June 2023.
• "Oris Di" (IMO 9245299) — also acquired in June 2023.
• "Oris Sofi" (IMO 8920282) — purchased in June 2023.
• "Oris Helga" (IMO 9483619) — acquired in October 2023.
• "ORIS Grace" (IMO 9658422) — acquired in early 2024.

The tanker "Oris Marine" is registered under the flag of Liberia, and its owner is listed as the company FLAGMAN MARINE LTD, located in Malta. This tanker is alleged to have regularly transported oil by sea, including unloading in Ukraine at the Izmail Sea Trade Port.

Links to businessmen and possible sanctions evasion

The company FLAGMAN MARINE LTD attracted particular attention from the investigation because its owners may include individuals linked to Marchenko and Shapovalov. In particular, names such as Maria Marchenko, presumably the wife of businessman Vitaliy Marchenko, and Liana Shamray, whose husband, Yuriy Shamray, is allegedly Shapovalov's partner in a number of business projects, are mentioned.

According to the investigation, the tankers owned by this company were used to deliver oil to Ukraine, where it was then redistributed for further use.