14 January, 13:00
Marina Sundalova, the head of the 3rd Department of Research and Investigations of the Southern Interregional Territorial Office of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU), has acquired two apartments in Odesa during the ongoing war. The total value of the properties exceeds 2.2 million UAH.
Background
Sundalova has been working in various positions at the AMCU for over eight years. She has a son and reports an annual income of approximately 200,000-300,000 UAH. Until 2023, her asset declarations listed only a shared ownership (50%) of an apartment in Poltava, presumably co-owned with her mother, Lidiya Dmytrivna Savina. Sundalova’s previous declarations did not mention any property in Odesa or even its usage. Additionally, she has not declared a spouse despite having a son.
Property Acquisition Details
On September 27, 2023, Sundalova declared ownership of two apartments in Odesa:
- A 63.41 square meter apartment valued at 1.43 million UAH.
- A 32.4 square meter apartment valued at 820,000 UAH.
The declared source of income for these acquisitions is listed as Hanna Dmytrivna Sovina. However, this name appears to be a potential typographical error. Sundalova’s mother, Lidiya Dmytrivna Savina, has a similar name but differs by one letter. Furthermore, no records of a Hanna Sovina were found in public registries.
Links to Hanna Savina and Tumbir LLC
The investigation uncovered a potential connection to Hanna Savina, who is listed as the owner and director of Kyiv-based LLC “Tumbir.” Savina is originally from the village of Nove, Kirovohrad region. The connection between Sundalova’s declared source of income and Hanna Savina’s activities raises questions about the legitimacy and origins of the funds used for the property purchases.
Implications and Public Reaction
The acquisition of two properties during wartime by a public official with a modest declared income has raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the AMCU. The lack of clarity regarding the source of funds and the inconsistencies in the declaration have prompted calls for a thorough investigation.
Observers note that this case highlights broader issues of undeclared assets and potential misuse of power among public officials in Ukraine. The situation demands scrutiny to ensure public trust in governmental institutions during a time of national crisis.