24 September 2026, 12:31
The director of Odesa's "Spartak" Stadium has stepped down
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PHOTO: Dumska
Zurab Shonia, acting director of the Odessa municipal enterprise “Spartak Stadium,” has stepped down from his position. He was dismissed by mutual agreement.
The corresponding order was signed by Ihor Koval, acting mayor of Odesa.
The personnel decision was based on Shonia’s personal request and a recommendation from Ruslan Terentyev, acting head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports.
Zurab Shonia began performing his duties on June 1. In the winter of 2025, he resigned from his position as director of the municipal enterprise “Service Center.” In his candidate declaration, he stated that he does not own a home but uses a 93-square-meter apartment. He owns no cars, stocks, or corporate rights, nor does he have any savings; his income consisted of a salary of 539,100 hryvnias and a pension of 132,900 hryvnias.
The declarant holds bank accounts at two financial institutions: “Ukrgasbank” and “PrivatBank.” No information about family members is provided in the declaration.
The Spartak Stadium is one of Odesa’s oldest sports arenas, opened in November 1928 on Kanatna Street. For a long time, the facility remained the city’s main venue for large-scale soccer matches and competitions until it ceded its primacy to the arena in Shevchenko Park. After several phases of extensive renovations, the stands now have a capacity of approximately 4,800 spectators.
On August 5, 2025, Zurab Shonia was appointed director of “Miskzelentrest.” Prior to this, he had served as acting director of the organization for some time.
On September 12, 2025, Odesa City Council member Volodymyr Korniyenko accused him of disregarding a city council resolution regarding the purchase of accessible restrooms costing 5.7 million hryvnias each.
In 2024, Zurab Shonia reported his primary income as 467,934 hryvnias in salary from the municipal enterprise “Service Center.” In addition, he received a pension of 129,029 hryvnias through the Central Joint Administration of the Pension Fund in Odesa. The declaration states that the declarant does not own any real estate, vehicles, securities, corporate rights, or other assets. Nor does it list any financial obligations or expenses that would require declaration.
As previously reported by Intent, Sargis Ovsepyan, acting head of the Department of Consumer Market Development and Consumer Protection at the Odessa City Council, has stepped down from his position. He was dismissed by mutual agreement.
