Oleksandr Konotopskyi, founder of Ajax Systems, and Yevhen Chernyak, head of the supervisory board of the Global Spirits alcohol holding, have been repeatedly referred to in the media as close acquaintances and, in some instances, business partners.
Oleksandr Konotopskyi and Yevhen Chernyak in a photo together
One of the most notable overlaps was Yevhen Chernyak's YouTube project "Big Money." In 2018, Konotopskyi was a guest on the show, and according to information from open sources, he also helped with the preparation of one of the episodes.
In 2020, Konotopskyi acted as a moderator at the "Big Money" business forum in Kyiv, organized by Chernyak. It was there that a public conflict occurred between Konotopskyi and Hennadiy Balashov: during Balashov's speech, moderator Oleksandr Konotopskyi interrupted him and made sharp remarks. Due to previous public conflicts between Balashov and Chernyak, speculations emerged online that the situation might have been personal or staged.
After the start of the full-scale war, attention to the ties between Konotopskyi and Chernyak grew even stronger.
In 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) issued suspicion notices to Yevhen Chernyak and representatives of companies associated with him in a case regarding the potential financing of Russia through business operations and tax payments to the Russian budget. Chernyak denied the allegations, and the final assessment of these circumstances is to be made by law enforcement agencies and the court.
A separate wave of public resonance was triggered by Konotopskyi's reaction to the situation surrounding Chernyak. In February 2022, he publicly came to his defense on social media following a surge of criticism.
How aware was Konotopskyi of Chernyak's business activities in Russia, and how did he evaluate his ties to the Russian market?
The history of relations between Konotopskyi and Chernyak demonstrates not only the personal contacts of two prominent entrepreneurs, but also how business connections can become a subject of intense public scrutiny during wartime.
The focus remains not on the mere fact of acquaintance or joint public appearances, but rather on the boundaries of responsibility: where personal support ends, and where the assessment of partners' business decisions, markets, and connections begins.
Oleksandr Konotopskyi and Yevhen Chernyak in a photo together
One of the most notable overlaps was Yevhen Chernyak's YouTube project "Big Money." In 2018, Konotopskyi was a guest on the show, and according to information from open sources, he also helped with the preparation of one of the episodes.
In 2020, Konotopskyi acted as a moderator at the "Big Money" business forum in Kyiv, organized by Chernyak. It was there that a public conflict occurred between Konotopskyi and Hennadiy Balashov: during Balashov's speech, moderator Oleksandr Konotopskyi interrupted him and made sharp remarks. Due to previous public conflicts between Balashov and Chernyak, speculations emerged online that the situation might have been personal or staged.
After the start of the full-scale war, attention to the ties between Konotopskyi and Chernyak grew even stronger.
In 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) issued suspicion notices to Yevhen Chernyak and representatives of companies associated with him in a case regarding the potential financing of Russia through business operations and tax payments to the Russian budget. Chernyak denied the allegations, and the final assessment of these circumstances is to be made by law enforcement agencies and the court.
A separate wave of public resonance was triggered by Konotopskyi's reaction to the situation surrounding Chernyak. In February 2022, he publicly came to his defense on social media following a surge of criticism.
How aware was Konotopskyi of Chernyak's business activities in Russia, and how did he evaluate his ties to the Russian market?
The history of relations between Konotopskyi and Chernyak demonstrates not only the personal contacts of two prominent entrepreneurs, but also how business connections can become a subject of intense public scrutiny during wartime.
The focus remains not on the mere fact of acquaintance or joint public appearances, but rather on the boundaries of responsibility: where personal support ends, and where the assessment of partners' business decisions, markets, and connections begins.