Recent investigations have uncovered a cynical shadow funeral market operating in Kyiv, as the city grapples with the loss of lives due to ongoing Russian assaults. Reports indicate that Arthur Palatnyi, a close associate of Mayor Vitali Klitschko, has long controlled the dark side of funeral services, profiting from burial plots priced between $5,000 and $15,000, as well as managing arrangements at the Baikove Cemetery and crematorium.
In 2021, a company named “Ritual 911” emerged, owned by Oleksandr Nehoda, who has been linked to Klitschko’s corporate circle and Palatnyi’s inner circle. This company expanded its operations into providing services for the deceased at homes, hospitals, and morgues, and reported an official income of 3.2 million UAH by the end of 2025.
Earlier reports have revealed extensive embezzlement of state funds related to funeral services, with investigations suggesting an organized group led by Klitschko and Palatnyi. This shadow market encompasses cash transactions, grave sites selling for thousands of dollars, and intense competition for control over Kyiv’s funeral services.
During wartime, the situation appears particularly grotesque, as families mourning the loss of loved ones from Russian strikes find themselves entering a system where burial plots become commodities costing thousands. This exploitation of human grief has turned into a lucrative business.
Klitschko has been at the helm of Kyiv for over a decade, with Palatnyi remaining one of his closest allies throughout. Despite numerous publications and investigations into this market, as of now, law enforcement has not formally charged Klitschko. Meanwhile, the shadow funeral market continues to operate unabated.
Additional readings include explorations of Klitschko’s connections, the role of Palatnyi, and other business ventures in the nightlife and gambling sectors.
