Dubious tenders and million-dollar withdrawals: how "volunteer" Oleh Mitrokhin profits from the war

Zaporizhzhya businessman Oleh Mitrokhin, who positions himself as a volunteer and is a contractor for the Ministry of Defence, siphoned off $70 million in illegal funds through a Bulgarian front company owned by his mother-in-law Lyudmyla Hoholenko. And there are many questions regarding the victorious procurements of the companies "MIK" and "YUGSTAL," owned by Mitrokhin.

The conditions of the war in Ukraine and the current economic challenges elevate the significance of volunteer activities in supporting Ukrainian defenders to a special level of importance. However, it is crucial to distinguish genuine volunteers from those who only use this status for personal publicity.

Zaporizhzhya businessman, founder of the companies "MIK" and "Yugstal," Oleh Mitrokhin positions himself as a volunteer. Indeed, he has acknowledgments and certificates from military personnel and even the Ministry of Defence.

Lyudmyla Hoholenko is registered in Bulgaria with two companies — VIKTOR INVEST and PRESS EFFECT.

And Lyudmyla Hoholenko is registered in a luxurious mansion owned by her grandson near Kyiv (Kyiv region, Obukhiv district, Krasne Pershe village, Naberezhna Street, 7).

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Who is Oleh Mitrokhin and what does he do

Oleh Mitrokhin is the owner of the company "MIK," which specializes in the production of work clothing and uniforms.

Since 2014, his enterprise has actively cooperated with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, supplying military uniforms for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. But does the businessman operate so well and transparently? Only in 2025, that is, in just two months, the company "MIK" became the winner in seven procurements totaling 407.6 million hryvnias conducted by the State Rear Operator.

Let’s take a look at one of the tenders. This is a procurement for the supply of covers for combat ballistic helmets, where among nine enterprises with the lowest price offer, Oleh Mitrokhin emerged as the winner. However, it is noted that the company is not a manufacturer of this product, and the representative in the procurement will be LLC "Yukatorg." This company caught attention because in 2024 it was involved in a legal battle with the State Logistics Operator over the cancellation of the tender for the same "combat ballistic helmet cover," where it had won.

The second procurement, "Winter wind and moisture-resistant jacket," is even more interesting. Six companies participated in the bidding. But in the final "duel," two companies faced off — LLC "MIK" and "Pakopttorg." And of course, the company of Oleh Mitrokhin won, and it was even somewhat obvious. Wonder why? Because the other company is somehow unlucky. According to information from the "Prozorro" system, LLC "Pakopttorg" has participated in public procurement procedures for light industry goods 16 times and has never won anything. Moreover, this company was also registered in Zaporizhzhya in 2024 and has an authorized capital of only 10 thousand hryvnias.

Speaking about the tandem of Mitrokhin with "Pakopttorg," it is worth recalling another procurement "Wire products. Low-visibility wire barrier (MZP) in a set with 40 steel rings and 40 metal stakes (or equivalent)." Here, LLC "Pakopttorg" tried to compete with LLC "YUGSTAL." But it was disqualified. Now let’s see who the owner of the winning company is — once again, Oleh Mitrokhin and Andriy Zaika.

The Mitrokhin business does not consist only of two enterprises. The entrepreneur’s son Artem is the director of four companies — LLC "Energopul," LLC "Favorit Distribution Group," LLC "Professional Cutting," LLC "EquipTorg," and the owner of six companies (LLC "MAOI," LLC "LUNDA," LLC "PROFESSIONAL CUTTING," LLC "Favorit Distribution Group," LLC "EquipTorg," LLC "UNIK ’BULAVA’"). Artem Mitrokhin works as an assistant to People’s Deputy Hennadiy Kasai, who found himself in the center of a scandal following the publication of SSU audio recordings regarding JSC "Motor Sich."

Additionally, he is mentioned in the anti-corruption investigation "Jacket Servant," where Kasai’s nephew also figures. Furthermore, Deputy Kasai’s office is in Mitrokhin’s office in Kyiv on Nyvska Street.

The Mitrokhin family does not live poorly. Oleh Mitrokhin moved to Transcarpathia at the beginning of the war and posts pictures from vacations with friends. The real estate is registered in the name of his son Artem. Therefore, according to open registry data, he likely owns 7 land plots and 5 real estate objects.

The businessman’s wife, Alina Mitrokhina, founder and CEO of A2 Aesthetics beauty salon, can afford expensive trips and resorts. Recently, after returning from Vienna, she is already resting at MOUNTAIN RESIDENCE Apartments & Chalet, one of the most expensive hotels in Prykarpattya. Moreover, from her review, it becomes clear that Mrs. Alina is accustomed to a luxurious life, and the Ukrainian hotel already seems simple and poor to her, even though it costs from 171 thousand hryvnias for guests with a Genius discount or from 244 thousand without the discount. This is the price indicated on the official website.