Lviv resident with SMA Nazariy Gusakov, who is suspected of fraud with funds for treatment, left Ukraine more than a week ago.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reported this, adding that the man’s whereabouts are currently unknown.
Nazariy Gusakov left Ukraine on June 13
The head of state described the situation with the collections in favor of Nazariy Gusakov and possible cases of fraud as scandalous and extremely unpleasant. This situation was one of the topics of the report to the president from the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Igor Klimenko.
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— According to preliminary data, at least four financial institutions and many digital services were used. The circle of people who could have suffered from the allegedly illegal actions is being established. Gusakov left the territory of Ukraine on June 13, his whereabouts and other significant circumstances are currently being established, — he wrote.
Zelensky noted that checks are ongoing on all information about collections in favor of Gusakov and possible cases of fraud that are in the public domain.
Following such an incident, the President is convinced that it is now very important to restore justice and avoid any discrediting of the collections and volunteering as such.
“There must be a legal response to individual cases of fraud,” Zelensky added.
In addition, Klimenko reported to the president on the actions of the National Guard units at the front and specifically the use of drones in battles on the front lines, as well as on countering criminal groups associated with Russian mafia cells and so-called “thieves in law.”
Nazariy Gusakov: what is known about the scandal
At the beginning of the week, messages began to appear on social networks that Nazariy Gusakov was not providing reports on the use of funds collected for treatment, in particular for drugs for the prevention of SMA.
In response, he posted a message on his Telegram channel: If everything works out, then at least this year there will be no more collection at Evrisda. Only rehabilitation procedures and medications will remain.
Subsequently, in a comment to the media, Gusakov denied all accusations of fraud.
Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi reported that since June 2024, Nazariy Gusakov has been receiving the drug Evrisdi free of charge — as the first adult Lviv resident under the City Council memorandum with Roche Ukraine. We are talking about three bottles monthly according to medical indications.
The fundraising for Gusakov's treatment was actively supported by the media, in particular by public figures and opinion leaders. After the resonance around the possible fraud, some of them approached him with a demand for an explanation – Gusakov promised to provide a report from an accountant.
Gusakov later admitted that he was supposed to keep track of expenses and collect receipts, but he did not have the relevant experience.
According to him, he needed 250-300 thousand UAH for monthly expenses on treatment and related needs. Although the city provides 20 vials of the drug free of charge, this is not enough. Gusakov also noted that he made most of the expenses without official documents and did not expect to have to report.
