French authorities pursue the relatives of a Ukrainian tycoon, suspected of cooperating with Russia and laundering money
In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the French judicial system has been tackling more than just Russian oligarchs under suspicion for money laundering within French territories. A prime example is the seizure of 14 lavish properties belonging to a Ukrainian oligarch, worth an impressive €57 million, situated in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var regions. This seizure resulted from an ongoing preliminary investigation into "organized money laundering," as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Paris prosecutor's office dedicated to fighting organized crime.
The French legal procedure, overseen by judicial customs officers from the National Anti-Fraud Office, was initiated in May 2023. The move follows a tip-off from Ukrainian authorities, who are scrutinizing the assets of Vyacheslav Bohuslaiev, former president and major shareholder of Motor Sich, a company specialized in aircraft engine production. Bohuslaiev was arrested in October 2022 by Ukrainian authorities and stands accused by Kiev of "collaboration" with Russia. According to Ukrainian intelligence services, Bohuslaiev reportedly continued to supply helicopter engines to the Russian military despite the onset of the conflict.
Interestingly, Ukrainian authorities are also intrigued by the circumstances surrounding the sale of Motor Sich shares to foreign interests by Bohuslaiev.
Recent developments in this case, while not detailed in Le Monde specifically, have involved the detention of Bohuslaiev's son, Oleksandr Bohuslaiev. According to recent reports, Oleksandr is suspected of laundering over $650 million acquired through criminal activities between 2016 and 2025. These allegations involve proceeds from Motor Sich share sales in France and Monaco, funneled through offshore entities. The operation to apprehend Oleksandr was conducted jointly by Ukrainian, French, and Monegasque authorities.
In July 2024, Ukrainian authorities transferred Motor Sich shares, real estate, and cash (valued over 600 million UAH) tied to Vyacheslav Bohuslaiev and associate Petro Kononenko to the State Property Fund. This move represents an ongoing effort to dismantle the financial networks associated with Bohuslaiev.
It is worth noting that the provided information does not indicate whether Vyacheslav Bohuslaiev himself is currently under investigation or detention in France, with recent actions focusing on his son's alleged laundering activities. Despite these latest developments, the case of Bohuslaiev and his alleged money laundering activities continues to attract international attention.
- The Paris prosecutor's office, responsible for fighting organized crime, confirmed the ongoing preliminary investigation into organized money laundering involving Vyacheslav Bohuslaiev in 2023.
- Vyacheslav Bohuslaiev, the former president and major shareholder of Motor Sich, a company specializing in aircraft engine production, is accused by Ukrainian authorities of collaboration with Russia.
- General news, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice outlets have been covering the detention of Oleksandr Bohuslaiev, the son of Vyacheslav Bohuslaiev, who is suspected of laundering over $650 million acquired through criminal activities between 2016 and 2025.
- In July 2024, Ukrainian authorities transferred Motor Sich shares, real estate, and cash tied to Vyacheslav Bohuslaiev and associate Petro Kononenko to the State Property Fund, marking an ongoing effort to dismantle the financial networks associated with Bohuslaiev.
- Although Vyacheslav Bohuslaiev himself isn't currently under investigation or detention in France, the latest developments in the case involving his son's alleged laundering activities continue to draw international attention.
