The Untouchables of Ukraine

Some -- notably Viktor Medvedchuk and Ihor Kolomoisky -- have been touched by the law since this classic cover of the now-defunct Kyiv Post newspaper 7 years ago. What about the rest?

This is Kyiv Post chief editor Brian Bonner’s summary of the Jan. 26, 2018, edition, which can be read here in PDF format:

Ukraine's elite are talking up the nation's investment potential and attractiveness for doing business to an audience of global elite in Davos, Switzerland. The Kyiv Post is a media partner and definitely a believer in Ukraine.

But the sad truth is that the nation will never reach its potential -- or stop millions of people from leaving or living in poverty -- as long as it lets corruption run rampant and as long as the elite have impunity no matter what they do.

So our lead story is "The Untouchables," featuring 10 powerbrokers who have faced well-chronicled public accusations of crime and corruption. Yet Ukraine's police, prosecutors and courts have not investigated them seriously. When you see the list, you'll know why -- they are the richest and best-connected people in the nation. They have all denied the accusations of wrongdoing against them. Readers can be the judge -- will have to be, since no corruption cases in Ukraine ever get investigated well enough to take to trial.

What else? The newspaper is dominated by our special Business Focus on "Tax Alerts" sponsored by EY.

We have eight pages of coverage on every conceivable angle of Ukraine's tax situation, including charts and graphics. This is solid business coverage,, and we have good news in this area: Ukraine has improved its transparency and ease of paying taxes, moving up to 43rd place among nations.

We've also got all your entertainment listings in lifestyle, as well as photos from the World Economic Forum in Davos. Kyiv Post CEO Luc Chenier is covering Ukraine Davos House. On Jan. 24, he moderated a discussion with the boxing Klitschko brothers.

Best regards from all of us at the Kyiv Post!