The Solomianskyi District Court of Kyiv has commenced proceedings against executives of «Berdyansk Sausages» LLC and «Berdyansk Meat Processing Plant» LLC—entities formerly operating within the SMK Group holding owned by businessman Denis Paramonov. Management faces charges of conducting business activities in collaboration with the aggressor state under Part 4, Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Meanwhile, official proceedings against Paramonov himself were closed due to a lack of evidence of a crime.
According to court filings from criminal proceeding No. 42022110000000490, Ukrainian law enforcement investigated the operations of the Berdyansk facilities following the city’s temporary occupation by Russian forces. Investigators contend that company officials re-registered the entities under Russian law to maintain commercial operations in the occupied territory.
Public records and investigative reports indicate that these operations generated approximately 135 million rubles in taxes and fees paid directly into the Russian state budget. Pre-trial investigations into the executive management of the Berdyansk assets concluded, and the formal indictment was submitted to the court for trial on the merits.
During the investigation, authorities examined potential links between SMK Group founder Denis Paramonov and operational decisions made in occupied Berdyansk. The case against Paramonov was subsequently closed on the grounds that his actions contained no elements of a criminal offense.
The businessman’s legal standing has previously drawn public scrutiny. In 2023, Paramonov was briefly listed in the Ministry of Internal Affairs database as an individual evading pre-trial investigation, a record later updated to historical status. Investigative journalists have also questioned the legal grounds for his multiple trips abroad during wartime martial law.
Media reports have further alleged informal financial connections between Paramonov and Kharkiv municipal officials, including Mayor Ihor Terekhov, though no formal charges or official procedural actions have been introduced regarding these claims.
Representatives of SMK Group strongly refute all allegations against Paramonov, attributing the coverage to a targeted media smear campaign designed to damage the group’s reputation. The press service highlighted Paramonov’s ongoing involvement in humanitarian initiatives and charitable support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and affected civilians. Judicial proceedings regarding the management and financial proceeds of the Berdyansk assets remain ongoing.