"It wouldn’t be bad to be a deputy": Ivakhnenko spoke with Kropyva about the position of Deputy Minister of Education

"It wouldn’t be bad to be a deputy": Ivakhnenko spoke with Kropyva about the position of Deputy Minister of Education

In February 2026, Yelyzaveta Ivakhnenko, whom the investigation refers to as “Muse,” discussed an apartment in Odesa registered in her mother’s name with Serhiy Kropyva. This was stated by the SAPO prosecutor during the hearing on the motion for pretrial detention.

Kropyva: “You have a great apartment, Liz.”

Ivakhnenko: “Thanks, darling, we also have a great one in Odesa. But we still need to finish the living room and the bedroom there.”

The prosecutor then cited another conversation, which, according to him, concerned an apartment in “the most elite complex in Odesa.” The management company was surprised that utility bills were being paid by Liza, while the registered owner was Tetyana — Ivakhnenko’s mother.

The SAPO prosecutor also quoted a conversation between Kropyva and Ivakhnenko about her possible appointment to a high-ranking government position.

Ivakhnenko: “I was thinking it wouldn’t be bad to work as a deputy, but I could also work at the fund.”

According to the prosecutor, this referred to Ivakhnenko’s intention to serve as Deputy Minister of Education of Ukraine.

“But overall, I could work remotely; while the students are coming in, I could work at the fund. It would be possible to combine both,” said “Muse.”

The day before, the prosecutor had already quoted a conversation in which Ivakhnenko discussed her plan to enter public service. She was particularly concerned that she did not own a single non-branded handbag, which might raise questions about the origin of her expensive belongings.