Sokolov accuses Kalashnyk of failing to pay a billion for energy facility protection

Accusations of a PR campaign and non-payment

Sokolov, who is a suspect in a criminal case regarding the embezzlement of funds allocated for the protection of energy infrastructure, publicly accused Infrastructure Minister Kalashnyk of creating state debt. According to Sokolov, the minister, while still serving as the head of Kyiv Oblast, requested that protection for energy facilities be ensured but never settled the accounts for the work performed.

«Міністр Калашник разом зі своїми високопоставленими колегами з СБУ розгорнув проти мене безпідставну піар-кампанію, мета якої — зробити з мене козла відпущення за кризову ситуацію в енергетичній інфраструктурі Київської області» (Minister Kalashnyk, together with his senior colleagues from the SBU, has launched an unfounded PR campaign against me, the aim of which is to make me a scapegoat for the crisis situation in the energy infrastructure of Kyiv Oblast), Sokolov emphasised.

Amount of debt and scale of works

According to Sokolov, the total state debt to his company for materials supplied in 2025–2026 reaches approximately one billion hryvnia. He claims that it was precisely this non-payment that caused financial problems hindering the completion of the works, even though he is being required to finish them at his own expense.

In 2026, he says, the company supplied materials for the protection of 34 cogeneration units and 30 substations. In addition, resources were provided for the construction of 59 turret towers, 16 radio electronic warfare (REW) masts in the exclusion zone, as well as a special communication mast.

Sokolov notes that the media only show two facilities where there is a delay in the schedule, whereas on average, works on substations are 59% complete.

Reaction to searches and personal details

After Kalashnyk moved to the ministerial post, the new governor Tkachenko stated that no one had promised to pay for these works. Sokolov considers the SBU searches at his residence and enterprise to be unjustified.

Regarding the renovation, he noted: «Зробив усе на свій смак — комусь подобається, комусь ні» (I did everything to my own taste — some people like it, some don't). The crocodile, he says, was officially purchased from the Odesa Zoo for $2,500. Sokolov also denies owning a Rolls-Royce, stating that he uses a Toyota.