Serhiy Sternenko talks about corruption, Odesa and Trukhanov

During the interview, activist and blogger Sternenko spoke about large-scale corruption schemes in Ukraine, the loss of defense resources and the criminal activities of the previous local authorities in Odesa.

Serhiy Sternenko spoke about this and other things on the "Straight Red" podcast.

According to him, according to the NABU, about $100 million was channelled through one conversion center alone, which is equivalent to UAH 4.2 billion - almost UAH 1.2-1.4 billion more than the fund collected in 2023.

With these funds, we have purchased more than 4,500 interceptors for Shaheed drones and thousands of other FPV drones on autofiber. Only one center alone has processed 9,000 Shaheed interceptors, which is a third of the monthly need," the activist said.

He emphasizes that such resources could have saved the lives of Ukrainian defenders, but instead are used to enrich corrupt structures.

Sternenko explains that corruption in Ukraine is systemic. According to him, there is an anti-corruption paradox: when a system designed to fight corruption becomes a source or instrument of it. If it were not for the NABU's materials, society would not have known about the real scale of the schemes. He especially criticizes corruption in the energy sector and defense companies.

Odesa: corruption, attacks and destructive activities of local authorities

The activist also spoke about the activities of Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov and his associate, Anhert Galanternik. According to him, they tried to build up the Odesa City Garden and construct a 33,000-square-meter shopping center there, despite the community's protests.

In addition, he touched upon the topic of the downpour that claimed lives. He emphasized that Odesa's utility system is in a catastrophic state.

"The utilities have been clogged for years, no one has cleaned them. Every Odesa resident knows how stinky Balkovskaya Street is, especially in summer, because there is no cleaning work under it. Balkivska sinks every year," Sternenko said.

He also mentioned the cases of violence and attacks on activists and journalists, which were coordinated by the city authorities.

Sternenko claimed that these actions were part of the activities of a mafia structure with Russian roots, which included Trukhanov and Galanternik, and had been operating in the city for decades.

This is the mafia that came to power on human blood, robbed and destroyed the city," the activist emphasized.

According to him, the former mayor tried to show off in the international arena: he went to UNESCO, criticized the Ukrainian authorities for destroying the cultural heritage, which damaged the country's image.

Military administration and hope for change

At the same time, Sternenko positively assesses the establishment of a military administration in Odesa. In his opinion, the presence of the Ukrainian army is a key factor in the stability of the region, and the new administration can counteract both pro-Russian forces and corruption.

The activist emphasized that corruption schemes cause real damage to the defense and people's lives. Odesa has gone through years of abuse and mismanagement, but civil society and the new military administration offer a chance to restore order and fight crime.

In June, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Malyuk, suggested that the attempted assassination of Odesa activist Serhiy Sternenko on May 1 could have been revenge for the events that took place in Odesa on May 2, 2014.

Анна Бальчінос