Medvedchuk's “Other Ukraine”: Who's Behind Putin's Ally’s Media Venture?
In August, “political analyst” Kirill Molchanov, with a pro-Russia stance, testified against a dozen participants involved in ex-MP Viktor Medvedchuk's “Other Ukraine” initiative. Most of those accused were media personalities, including former host Denis Zharkikh, facing sanctions, Artem Marchevsky, head of the banned “112 Ukraine” TV station, among others.
The roster also features Bohdan Giganov, an Odesa City Council member from the Opposition Platform – For Life party, and Natalia Khoroshevskaya, who ran for the Mykolaiv City Council representing the same party. Additionally, Ruslan Kalinichuk, a clergyman from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), is listed.
The CHESNO movement offers enhanced insights into the deeds of those tied to the Kremlin leader’s close associate’s undertakings.
Medvedchuk’s media resources
The public body “The Other Ukraine,” headed by sanctioned ex-parliamentarian Viktor Medvedchuk, was officially registered in Russia during 2023. Law enforcement agencies claim he liaised with the Russian leader to arrange the organization’s establishment. It enlisted sanctioned propagandists originating from the former MP’s TV stations. The majority are situated outside Ukrainian territory.
Registration of the entity “Other Ukraine” in Russia. Screenshot: “Schemes”
Moreover, individuals associated with a clandestine cell of Medvedchuk’s political scheme were apprehended in Kyiv last year. Those involved generated video content, submitting it for review to their Russian supervisor, the former presenter Denis Zharkikh. Pro-Kremlin content was further disseminated via social platforms and the media channel Voice of Europe, which received EU sanctions.
An operative for dual intelligence services
During the spring season, law enforcement carried out a special operation, leading to the detention of pro-Russian political expert Kirill Molchanov in Poland. For the first occasion since 2022, at the SBU’s request, an operative connected to two Russian intelligence outfits, the FSB and the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, was extradited to Ukraine. He had affiliations with the media outlets of Viktor Medvedchuk, a treason suspect.
Kirill Molchanov’s detention and retrieved items during the search. Photo: SBU.
Molchanov relocated to Russia in 2022, rapidly becoming a major figure behind the media ventures “The Other Ukraine” and “Voice of Europe.” Notably, postings supporting Molchanov arose on these pro-Russian platforms following his capture. Specifically, past Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, also facing treason allegations, voiced his support.
Screenshot: Telegram channel “The Other Ukraine”
The CHESNO movement had previously reported that Molchanov played a role in PR endeavors for ex-MP and owner of Nash TV, Yevhen Murayev, ex-MP Vadym Rabinovich, and the Opposition Platform – For Life party. He had also released figures that artificially raised the poll numbers of then-Verkhovna Rada hopeful Zagid Krasnov in 2016.
Kirill Molchanov later gave evidence against a dozen members of the “Other Ukraine” collective. The accused individuals faced several charges, notably treason and condoning Russia’s military assault on Ukraine.
City council representatives
Among the individuals featured in the “Other Ukraine” project were existing or prospective city council members. For instance, Natalia Khoroshevskaya was the head of the local organization in Mykolaiv Oblast, acting on behalf of the Opposition Platform – For Life party. She was also a candidate for the Mykolaiv City Council in 2020 under the same political faction but did not get elected. She had also been in charge of the international relations section at the Farmer’s Hub.
Screenshot: YouControl
According to news sources, Khoroshevskaya is married to Maksym Nevinchannyi, previously a Mykolaiv City Council member from the Opposition Platform – For Life party. He also engaged with the “Other Ukraine” body but had his mandate terminated by a City Council decision soon after.
In 2019, Maksym Nevinchanniy, a candidate from the Opposition Platform – For Life, organized a concert by the group “InMotion” in Mykolaiv. There were also performers and free ice cream provided. Photo: Opora Media Center
Bohdan Giganov, another Odesa City Council member from the Opposition Platform – For Life party, was also present on this record. He functioned as a trusted agent of presidential hopeful Oleksandr Vilkul in 2019. Until 2017, Giganov was a participant in the Opposition Bloc faction.
A screen capture from MP Bohdan Giganov’s 2016 report.
Giganov also directed Assistance Centers for Ukrainian IDPs in Russia, as part of the pro-Russia “Another Ukraine” initiative, in 2024.
Screenshot: Telegram channel “The Other Ukraine”
Such incidents aren’t unique at the local level. The CHESNO movement has accounted for a minimum of 18 community leaders confronting active legal cases for infringements upon Ukraine’s national security. Eight have been convicted, and one individual was found not guilty. Nine cases are currently in progress.
In contrast, the bulk of community leaders and council members hold robust positions defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Some council members are also actively enlisted in the armed forces.
Serving as a reminder, 15 parliamentary figures of the ongoing assembly have faced formal charges of national security crimes. Viktor Medvedchuk, the originator of the “Other Ukraine” project, a former parliamentarian implicated in treason, and also Putin’s close ally, is included on this list.
Media personalities from Medvedchuk’s TV outlets and a clergyman of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)
A significant segment of those participating in Medvedchuk’s ventures are media experts. Denys Zharkikh, for one, previously a host on the “112” station, now prohibited and facing governmental sanctions, has assumed control over the “Other Ukraine” political agenda. Reports from the media indicate that Zharkikh passed across the Ukrainian-Slovak boundary in 2022, later facing treason allegations the subsequent year.
He, together with other initiative members, participated in a roundtable discussion arranged by Yuriy Podolyaka, a pro-Russia blogger. The participants shared Russian propaganda and examined the notion of “Ukrainian neo-Nazism.” Specifically, Zharkikh delved into the so-called “nationalist ideology” existing within Ukraine.
Screenshot: Telegram channel “The Other Ukraine”
Roman Kovalenko, a media figure, another of the accused, led Viktor Medvedchuk’s pro-Russia endeavor. He faced accusations spanning multiple offenses, including advocating Russia’s violent hostility and also treason. This year, the National Security and Defense Council imposed sanctions on him, lasting a decade. Investigators state he posted information on the “Other Ukraine” RuTube channel and several other Russian platforms.
Artem Marchevsky, chief executive of the blocked 112 Ukraine television channel and an associate of Medvedchuk, also appeared on the list of participants. Following this, he and Voice of Europe, the media outlet he directed, were incorporated into the EU’s list of sanctioned entities. After an investigation, the media leader’s bid for temporary protection in the Czech Republic and Slovakia was refused.
It warrants noting that Artem Marchevskyi was a contender during the 2021 Verkhovna Rada by-elections in the 50th district of Donetsk Oblast. He later withdrew from the race upon his request.
Artem Marchevsky’s campaign activities during the 2021 parliamentary election. Photo: Vchasno News Agency
Another participant, Yuriy Dudkin, a pseudo-expert, made appearances on Medvedchuk’s channels. In 2025, he was indicted for endorsing Russia’s armed assault on Ukraine. According to investigation results, Dudkin created an information network consisting of various web resources, social media clusters, YouTube channels, and numerous bloggers.
Ruslan Kalinchuk, a clergyman belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), holding a position at the Church of St. Luke of Crimea in Kyiv, was also found on the list. According to media reports, he went to Russia and became an anchor for the Moscow Orthodox radio service “Radonezh,” where he operated as a “political analyst.”
Yan Taksyur, a pro-Russian author and publicist, also stands as a defendant. He was swapped in 2023 for a Ukrainian serviceman seized near Bakhmut. He further published pro-Russia content on the “First Cossack” channel and backed Anatoly Shariy, who holds pro-Russian views.
Additional defendants have also joined the “Other Ukraine” effort; this list remains unexhaustive. Assuring these defendants face accountability and remain detached from the political structure holds significance.
Author: Yulia Oleshchenko
