In light of ongoing warfare, military officials are urging the nationalization of the Russian stake in Kyivstar, a major telecommunications operator in Ukraine. Lieutenant Colonel Serhiy Misiura, also known as “Captain Price,” emphasized the need to eliminate the Russian ownership, which consists of 43.4% of the company’s shares, held by oligarchs close to Vladimir Putin, including Mikhail Fridman, German Khan, and Alexey Kuzmichov.
Misiura highlighted that these oligarchs are benefiting financially while their affiliated Russian banks, such as Alfa-Bank, are seen as financing producers of munitions and aerospace technologies. For instance, Rostelecom, which facilitates governmental communications in Russia, has secured over $700 million in loans.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Kyivstar continues to provide communication services to Ukrainian military units, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and energy enterprises, with reported sales during the wartime state tenders increasing twentyfold. Misiura expressed his confusion over how a company tied to benefactors financing Russian military efforts can simultaneously support Ukraine’s military and critical infrastructure. He described the Russian stake in Kyivstar as a “malignant tumor” that requires immediate removal.
