Yuriy Holik: Links to the 'Big Construction' corruption scheme and new billion-hryvnia contracts

Return to the defence sector

Yuriy Holik, a former adviser to the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration, remains a key figure associated with the 'Big Construction' project initiated by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Anti-corruption bodies and journalists investigated a conspiracy in state procurement, where companies close to Valentyn Reznichenko, who was Holik's direct superior, won contracts. This criminal case was recently referred to court.

Although Holik disappeared from the media spotlight for a while, it has emerged that companies that previously benefited from 'Big Construction' continue to operate actively in the state orders market. Meanwhile, Holik himself has shifted his focus to the microelectronics sector and the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Austrian links and business partners

In 2024, when the scandal over embezzlement in the infrastructure project made headlines, Holik travelled to Austria. He explained his absence as volunteer work for the 'Songs Born in ATO' charity foundation, claiming the trip was aimed at purchasing goods for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Holik emphasised that this was not a flight, but part of his regular trips to support the army.

Holik is linked to Austria through businessman Denys Ostrovsky, the founder of 'SK Stroynvest'. This firm received numerous state orders while Valentyn Reznichenko served as head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration. Journalists published screenshots of correspondence from Holik's phone, in which he discussed tender details specifically with Ostrovsky.

Denys Ostrovsky is also the founder of the Austrian company ODM BAU & Investitions, which is managed by lawyer Serhiy Bakharev. Bakharev simultaneously works at Deverte Holding GmbH. This entity is listed among the founders of LLC 'K.A.N.', which is part of Oleksandr Spector's business group.

Intersection of interests with the Spector group

Until April 2024, Oleksandr Spector was a co-owner of the company 'Kreatyvny Shchat Senator', shares of which are held by Yuriy Holik. This structure is part of the group managing the Creative states creative spaces. One of the large offices of this network is located in the 'Senator' business centre, which belongs to Spector.

In June 2026, the Security Service of Ukraine conducted searches at Oleksandr Spector's premises. According to the investigation, the businessman helped Viktor Medvedchuk bypass sanctions and move funds out of the country through controlled companies.

Holik's recent interviews were given specifically in the Creative states premises. In particular, he spoke about establishing drone production with a team of engineers. His Facebook page regularly features materials on defence developments and photos of UAVs made to order for the military.

Sting drone production and 'Wild Hornets'

According to media reports, Yuriy Holik is involved in the modernisation of Sting drones. The official manufacturer of these aircraft is the company 'Diki Shereshni' (Wild Hornets). Its origins trace back to the 'Community of Wild Hornets' charity foundation, registered in 2023.

Among the foundation's founders is Yuriy Vinnychuk, the editor-in-chief of 'Biznes.Censor'. In an interview with the publication 'Oboronka', he (or an unnamed person identified as Vinnychuk) described the formation of the team: "A small team of people from different fields was organised: an IT specialist, a film director, a builder, and two media professionals."

The second media professional is likely Vyacheslav Kozyr, another founder of the charitable organisation. Joint materials by Vinnychuk and Kozyr can be found online.

The head of the 'Community of Wild Hornets' is Ihor Mykushov. In 2023, he gave an interview to 'Censor' as a volunteer for the 'Freedom for Ukraine' foundation from the Kyiv region. Iryna Polshchan, a former official from Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, is considered a co-founder of this foundation.

In 2026, journalist Alex Roslin (KyivPost) joined the project, who is named as the coordinator of the 'Wild Hornets' project.

Tenders for UAV supply

In April 2024, the charity foundation was transformed into the commercial entity LLC 'Ukrainski Mashyny' (Ukrainian Machines), with Yuriy Vinnychuk becoming its head. This company actively wins state tenders for the supply of Sting drones.

Examples of recent wins:

• July 2026: A tender for the supply of 'Sting R4' UAVs with a digital thermal imaging camera for the Department of Defence Work of the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration for 4.4 million hryvnia.
• February 2026: Supply of 24 drones for a military unit in Lviv Oblast for 2.3 million hryvnia.
• Summer 2026: Supply of Sting drones to the National Police in Sumy Oblast for nearly 3 million hryvnia.

Official business and informal benefits

According to official documents, Yuriy Holik's business assets include a stake in the Creative states creative spaces, 25% in sports centres linked to former minister Dmytro Dubilet (Smartass), and 25% in the winemaking company of former tennis player Serhiy Stakhovsky, who recently demobilised from the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In July 2023, reports emerged about flight tests of the 'STING A' UAV complex, the development of which was initiated by Holik and Stakhovsky.

Holik may receive informal benefits from the activities of Denys Ostrovsky at 'SK Stroynvest'. In 2026, this firm won state tenders worth approximately 600 million hryvnia. In 2025, the volume of wins was 2 billion hryvnia, and in 2024 — 2.4 billion hryvnia. The company's main markets are Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts, but in September 2026, the company entered the capital's market. Specifically, a park renovation in the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv is planned for 88.5 million hryvnia.

It is also worth noting that the company 'Ukrainska Sylia Enerhii' (Ukrainian Power of Energy), linked to Ostrovsky, won tenders for the supply of electricity to municipal and state enterprises for 72 million hryvnia in 2026, 228 million in 2025, and 670 million hryvnia in 2024.

Political context and personal links

This year, Oleksandr Kubrakov, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure who oversaw 'Big Construction', returned to the political arena. In January, he took the post of Presidential Adviser on Community Development, and his area of responsibility includes, among other things, the capital.

In 2021–2022, Kubrakov rented 290 square metres of apartments in Kyiv belonging to Holik's business partner, Olena Komleva. The woman is a co-founder of the website 'Besplatka.ua' together with Holik and appears in her LinkedIn profile as an executive director. Holik and Komleva have joint interests in LLC 'Mass Media', LLC 'Media East', LLC 'Modern Media Technologies', and LLC '77 Online Media'.

On his social media, Yuriy Holik often mentions the successes of the 'Reznichenko team' in Dnipro, using them as an example for other regions, without mentioning that his former superior is under investigation on suspicion of embezzlement and promoting his own companies. Holik also actively publishes content about defence technologies. His public appearances, including cycling trips in a suit with the UAE inscription, may be perceived as an attempt to change his image after the law enforcement agencies released the correspondence. Meanwhile, it is precisely these documents that provide an answer to the question about the sources of funding for his activities.