Police in Western Ukraine are continuing their investigation into Dmytro Kalancha, a 44-year-old resident of Vashkivtsi who positions himself as an independent journalist, public figure, and human rights defender. Kalancha, who has a prior conviction for fraud, is facing new criminal charges involving extortion and deceit. Despite ongoing legal proceedings and numerous court disputes, he remains active across local communities in the Chernivtsi and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.
According to law enforcement, police served Kalancha with a notice of suspicion regarding a new fraud scheme. Investigators established that he gained the trust of a woman from the Ivano-Frankivsk region by promising professional legal assistance. He received $2,000 from the victim for his services. Shortly after, Kalancha seized her personal vehicle, refused to return it, and demanded an additional $8,000 for its release.
Law enforcement officers detained Kalancha and placed him in custody with the option of posting bail. Court records reveal that this is not his first criminal offense: back in 2013, he was convicted of fraud and sentenced to six years in prison.
Public court registries reveal that Kalancha has been involved in multiple legal cases beyond his extortion charges. His record includes lawsuits concerning the protection of honor and dignity, child support evasion, and police citations for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
A recent public incident involving Kalancha occurred in Kosiv following the «Ohir Fest» equestrian charity event, which raised over 850,000 UAH for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Immediately after the festival, Kalancha submitted three separate reports to the police claiming alleged violations during the fundraiser. Local community members expressed concern that his actions were an attempt to pressure volunteers and draw media attention to himself.
Analysts have also noted Kalancha’s close connection with Ostap Stakhiv, a controversial figure from Lviv who has faced state treason investigations. Stakhiv publicly endorsed Kalancha as a «persecuted journalist» and used his media channels to mobilize followers to raise bail money for Kalancha’s release from pre-trial detention.
«All criminal proceedings against me are entirely fabricated. This is targeted persecution by state authorities and law enforcement in retaliation for my investigative journalism and human rights work,» Dmytro Kalancha previously stated regarding the accusations.
Despite his claims of political persecution, the growing list of criminal charges, civil disputes, and complaints from local residents paints a far more complex picture. Pre-trial investigations into the fraud allegations remain ongoing as courts prepare to deliver a final verdict.