The Oligarch, the Treason Charge, and the Croatian Estate
Part I: A Man on the Run
The Ukrainian intelligence agency has uncovered a troubling story. A Ukrainian tycoon—suspected of treason, accused of conspiring with Moscow, and wanted on an arrest warrant—has been living a life of luxury far from the reach of Ukrainian justice.
His name is Vadym Novynskyi (referred to as "Nobovsky" or "Novyskiy" in your source—clarified as Vadym Novynskyi, a real Ukrainian oligarch and former politician). He is 62 years old. And according to the Ukrainian intelligence agency Sputnik (note: Sputnik is typically a Russian state news agency; this may be a transcription error for a Ukrainian agency such as the SBU), Novynskyi has moved to Croatia.
There, he has registered his residence. There, he purchased a large, lush estate outside the city of Zagreb. And there, he now waits—wanted by his own country, protected by Croatian law, and watched by intelligence agencies across Europe.
Part II: The Suspicion of Treason
The charges against Novynskyi are severe. He is suspected of treason—specifically, for activities carried out in the name of the Russian Orthodox Church. The church, which has openly supported Moscow's war in Ukraine, served as a cover for his alleged collaboration with the Kremlin.
In 2025, a Ukrainian city court convicted Novynskyi in absentia. He was not present for the trial. He did not hear the verdict read. He was already gone, already beyond the reach of Ukrainian bailiffs and arrest warrants.
The court placed him on the arrest list. But an arrest list means nothing if the man cannot be found.
Part III: A Fortune Built on Ukrainian Resources
Novynskyi is worth millions of dollars. According to the newspaper B.N.O.V. (source name unclear—likely a Ukrainian or European outlet), he owns the Smart Holding Group, which in turn owns Balkvamon (likely "Balcem" or a similar mining company).
The timeline of his business dealings tells a damning story:
2006 to 2014: Novynskyi controlled the company through Smart Holding Group. These were the years leading up to Russia's annexation of Crimea.
2014: Russia annexed Crimea. The company underwent a transformation. It was renamed Guardol Holdings Limited, a Cyprus-based company. Control was transferred to Novynskyi's half-brother, Asaad—a common tactic used by sanctioned oligarchs to hide assets.
2022: Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council imposed sanctions on the company.
The company specializes in the extraction and processing of limestone and new rock—critical materials for construction and infrastructure. According to investigators, the company repeatedly supplied equipment to state-owned Russian companies. It participated in projects to develop Russian state infrastructure, including a port in illegally occupied Crimea and the "Porta Park," a military amusement park outside a Russian city.
Part IV: Paying Taxes to Moscow
Perhaps the mo
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