In the case of Andriy Naumov, the devil is in the details. Except for the fraud accusations he is also credited with playing a key role in planning a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine — in coordination with the Russian security services. The question arises: why would such a man flee to Vienna? Previously, Naumov stayed in Serbia, a country that is quite favorable to Russia. Well, Austria is generally reluctant to extradite.
Russian state propaganda will probably consider Naumov's stay in Vienna a stroke of luck. She has already used it. Russian state broadcaster NTV devoted a full 40 minutes to Naumov, during which it showed the interview conducted while walking between an almost provocative number of places in Vienna. As if they wanted to show: we are here and we do what we want.
The recording took place in Leopoldsberg in front of a monument commemorating the participation of Ukrainian Cossacks in the Relief of Vienna in 1683, on the Old Danube opposite the UN building complex, in a rooftop apartment apparently rented for the filming, and in a park near the spa town of Baden near Vienna. Message: a propaganda appeal against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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The irony is that Naumov was once considered a confidant of Ivan Bakhanov, Zelensky's childhood friend, later his business partner in the television industry, and finally, after Zelensky's entry into politics, head of the SBU.
But now Ukrainian investigators accuse Naumov, a former SBU general, of money laundering and fraud. At least that's what was stated in the extradition request to the Austrian authorities.
A few hours before the invasion, Naumov left Ukraine
However, the allegations go far beyond corruption. Naumov is suspected of playing a key role in handing over the Ukrainian ruins of the Chernobyl reactor to Russian troopsalong with the user manual. Naumov was for some time the head of COTIS, the Ukrainian state company responsible for managing the Chernobyl exclusion zone.
But his nomination for this position, as well as his promotion to general, have always been controversial. According to the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR), Naumov is currently accused of “collecting information on the functioning of the security systems of the Chernobyl exclusion zone and other confidential information” and transmitting it to Russia.
DBR's findings also indicate that Naumow may have been involved in Russian plans for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine for years — or at least that Russia had been considering him for many years before February 2022 as a trustworthy candidate for high positions in the Ukrainian security apparatus after Russia took power in Kiev.
At least just a few hours before a full-scale Russian invasion Naumov left Ukraine — but went west. As reported by the independent Russian investigative website The Insider, he left in a car, taking cash and valuables with him.
Austria has a problem with an uninvited guest
Naumov first went to Germany and then to Serbia. On June 7, 2022, he was arrested on the border with North Macedonia along with Oleksandr Akst, a German citizen of Ukrainian origin. Reason: undeclared assets in the amount of approx. PLN 600,000. euro [według obecnego kursu ok. 2,5 mln zł] in cash, as well as a large sum in dollars and precious gems. As a result, proceedings against Naumov were pending in Serbia. He was sentenced to one year in prison for money laundering and released in January 2024.
However, the matter was probably discussed at the highest diplomatic level in Serbia from the beginning. Already then, Ukraine was demanding Naumov's extradition. Apparently Russia was also keenly interested in Naumov. For some time, there was speculation that Naumov might receive political asylum in Russia. The fate of the SBU general was also likely discussed during a visit to Moscow in August 2022 by Serbian Interior Minister Alexander Vulin, known for his pro-Russian views.
At the time, there was speculation that the regime in Moscow wanted Naumov to play a key role in a possible Russian show trial against Zelensky. And that's exactly the role he plays in the just-released Russian propaganda film.
For Austria, which tends to remain ambivalent in international relations, the presence of a sought-after figure like Naumov is a delicate matter.
Official comments are short. The Ministry of Justice refers you to the competent court. The competent court only confirmed that Ukrainian extradition proceedings were ongoing. However, the actual hearing has not yet taken place. Asked specifically about Naumov's involvement in Russia, the court said in a written statement that this cannot be inferred from court records. In fact, they were not mentioned in the extradition request either.
The Ministry of the Interior and the Austrian Security Service stated succinctly: “We ask for your understanding that the Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence […] cannot provide any specific information on this matter.”
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
