In 2022, the seizure of large Ukrainian retail chains, including “ATB” and “Silpo”, in the temporarily occupied territories of Kherson region took place on instructions from Crimea, and local collaborators were removed from the commercial sector.
MOST’s sources told this, revealing details of the redistribution of assets in occupied Kherson.
According to our interlocutor, at the beginning of the occupation the attempt by collaborators Volodymyr Saldo and Ihor Semenchev Jr. to take control of the “ATB” and “Silpo” chains was unsuccessful.
Instead, from Crimea arrived the nephew of the scandalously notorious Crimean millionaire Yosyp Fayngold — Boris Fayngold, who began dividing the store chains with Saldo.
“There was originally a plan that all this would belong to local collaborators like Saldo, but then Borya Fayngold arrived and pushed everything aside. He probably just calculated it, called where needed, explained his business plan. He says: ‘Guys, well, if I handle it, you’ll get about so much.’ In response, they called Saldo from Crimea and said: ‘Okay that’s it, go handle the referendum, schools, hospitals, the budget, and don’t get into commerce’,” the interlocutor said.
According to the source, it was Boris Fayngold who directly handled the seizure of “ATB” stores and pharmacies. He found managers through old Ukrainian contacts and organized the delivery of goods.
Thus, key commercial assets in occupied Kherson quickly came under the control of persons with ties to Crimea, effectively pushing local collaborators out of the most profitable sphere.
It should be noted that already after the de-occupation of the right bank, Boris Fayngold and collaborator-deputy Eduard Repilevskyi became responsible for transporting agricultural products to the left bank. Repilevskyi headed the so-called commission that was to control the transportation, and Fayngold joined its ranks as an employee of the occupation administration.
