This information was instantly spread by the media, mentioning the name of Kostyantyn Zhevago and the pharmaceutical company Arterium.“This information is not true and manipulates public opinion for the purpose of economic and political pressure on Kostyantyn Zhevago,” says a statement distributed by the entrepreneur’s press service.“Neither Kostyantyn Zhevago personally, nor any enterprises where he or his family members are among the shareholders, have ever cooperated or are cooperating with the aggressor country, the Russian Federation, nor have they ever conducted or are conducting any business activities on its territory. Moreover, in 2014, while serving as a Member of Parliament of Ukraine, Kostyantyn Zhevago publicly condemned the annexation of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions. In October 2018, personal sanctions were imposed on Mr. Zhevago by the aggressor country, and he, as well as enterprises where he or his family members are among the shareholders, were included and still remain on the Russian Federation’s sanctions lists. Therefore, even hypothetically, they could not and cannot conduct any activities, including entrepreneurial or intermediary, or own any assets or property on the territory of the Russian Federation,” the statement says.Kostyantyn Zhevago commented on the situation: “The accusations that I allegedly sold medicines in the territory of the Russian Federation and received more than 420 million UAH from this do not stand up to any criticism. This is the same situation that happened a few years ago with AvtoKrAZ, when the enterprise was expropriated despite millions invested in its development by me personally. Now, the pharmaceutical company Arterium is next in line, which they are also trying to ‘seize,’ transfer to ARMA, and then divide among those who need it. Since law enforcement agencies have no legal grounds to do this, they resort to dirty instruments of pressure and manipulation. This is the next stage of political and economic pressure on me after the illegal indefinite personal sanctions were imposed on me by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine in February 2025.”Over the past almost six years, a large number of criminal proceedings have been initiated against Zhevago: none of these cases have reached court consideration.“My lawyers have repeatedly submitted requests to law enforcement agencies and the prosecutor’s office demanding that the cases be referred to court, but no decisions have been made. This indicates that the actions of Ukrainian law enforcement officers have nothing to do with investigating real crimes. In fact, this is a form of political pressure related to my civic position and political beliefs,” Mr. Zhevago noted.According to Kostyantyn Zhevago’s lawyer, Nataliya Pushyna, the current accusations are absolutely illegal, as there is not a single court decision confirming even one of the suspicions or charges brought. Likewise, there are no court decisions indicating that Kostyantyn Zhevago poses any threat to national security, territorial integrity, or the sovereignty of Ukraine. “This is just another stage in the long chain of politically motivated persecution of Kostyantyn Zhevago for his political position, as well as for supporting independent media in Ukraine,” she added.