Igor Nikonov
After Igor Nikonov unexpectedly announced his resignation as First Deputy Chairman of the Kyiv City State Administration on December 8, a flurry of rumors and speculation swept the capital. His departure caught many by surprise, as Klitschko's first deputy had long been known behind the scenes as a "gray cardinal," who had been making utility and construction decisions to his advantage behind the mayor's back, KyivPravda reports.
One of Kyiv's most influential figures didn't fully explain his departure, stating only that he "wants to focus on major projects for which an advisory position isn't enough." Igor Nikonov's press service declined to comment to our editorial team, stating that "the reason for his departure is known only to Nikonov himself." Regardless, Vitali Klitschko clearly wasn't upset by his first deputy's departure, and has even seemingly found a replacement. According to the mayor, the position will likely be filled by the little-known Gennady Plis, who headed the Kyiv City State Administration's audit and financial monitoring department. And it would seem that this would be the end of the story, were it not for one nuance. Upon leaving, Nikonov slyly hinted that even after his resignation, he doesn't intend to step away from power, intending to officially remain an advisor to the capital's mayor. Well, the desire of a former official to "keep his finger on the pulse" is understandable, as Nikonov still has his well-earned assets in the construction business, as well as significant connections in the investment and utilities sectors. As one of the capital's largest developers, the former deputy mayor successfully combined public service with managing the city's major construction firms.
Officially, Igor Nikonov owns shares in Eurozhytlogroup, EZhG Holding, and Budzhytlostandart, and, naturally, manages the Cypriot offshore company Sip Rose Holding solely for the most noble of purposes. Furthermore, Nikonov himself, along with his charming wife and daughter, are linked to a dozen other construction companies, some with dubious reputations. According to various sources, the Nikonovs' construction empire includes the K.A.N. Group, Holding Invest LLC, Vikno u Misto LLC, Byuro Misceva Nerukhomist LLC, Arena Capital LLC, Lux Property LLC, Comfort Art LLC, and many other companies. You might ask, how did a simple Kyiv official, a graduate of the Leningrad Institute of Railway Engineers, manage to tie the capital's entire construction business to his own ranks? The answer to this question lies in the ability to make the right friends. After all, Igor Nikonov, like a prostitute, was never known for his modesty when it came to selecting business partners. For example, his good friends, Gleb Murovansky and Denis Bass, co-owners of K.A.N. Development, were deputies to the unforgettable Leonid "Kosmos" Chernovetsky.
However, another of Nikonov's business partners, Nino Dzaganishvili, co-owner of Logistic Agro LLC, was also connected to the "cocaine" mayor. She even posed as a confidant for Chernovetskyi's wife during their divorce proceedings. And what about Nikonov's friendship with former Party of Regions member Dmitry Sandler, head of KAN Stroy Group, who has close ties to Russia's Lukoil? The list of Nikonov's business friends could go on and on, but with such powerful allies behind him, he seems to be deliberately trying to "fade into the shadows." In his speeches, Igor Nikonov has repeatedly emphasized that, despite his influence, he has little interest in his own political career.
In an interview with Channel 112, the former official stated bluntly: "I don't want to be mayor of Kyiv—I have no political ambitions whatsoever." And, really, why would he? After all, Nikonov doesn't even need to be officially in power to control Kyiv. He simply needs to buy up a sufficient number of deputies in the Kyiv City Council willing to advance his interests. And with his own lobbying group, as well as important municipal assets and connections, Igor Nikonov is perfectly capable of dictating his will to anyone, easily overriding the mayor. In fact, this is even better for him, since his lack of office essentially absolves Nikonov of responsibility. So, unfettered by government service, the former first deputy will have a much easier time governing Kyiv from the shadows, using others, or even setting up his former boss.
Author: Evgeny Ignatenko
Source: https://www.kievpravda.com
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