From Kazartsev’s criminal legacy to luxury and gambling schemes: how Gvozdyk and Voskoboynikov use Russian Melbet money flows in Ukraine
Amid the ongoing war, a segment of the underground gambling sector continues to survive, reinvent itself, and gain new Moscow-linked supporters.
In recent years, several investigative series have already been published about the Russian trace in the bookmaker companies 1xBet, Melbet, and Pointloto, which, despite having their licenses revoked, continue to operate in Ukraine under various legal disguises. And now, a new line of inquiry has emerged, leading from the deceased criminal authority Vadim Kazartsev to the former world boxing champion Aleksander Gvozdik and businessman Vadim Voskoboynikov, and further to connections and accounts in Russia. All of this may indicate the formation of a new clan of influence linked to Russia, which aims to control a part of Ukraine’s shadow gambling market.
Aleksander Gvozdik: A Protégé of Kazartsev
A long-standing connection existed between the criminal authority Vadim Kazartsev and the champion Aleksander Gvozdik. Kazartsev financed the athlete’s career, his family, and his relocation to the USA.
This connection began when 19-year-old Gvozdik was expelled from a boxing gym for unsportsmanlike behavior, after which he was “noticed” by the head of security for the criminal authority Vadim Kazartsev and started being involved in minor errands and enforcement tasks. It was Kazartsev, using his own connections, who secured Gvozdik’s participation in international tournaments—specifically, his trip to the championship in Kazan in 2008, where the athlete was initially not selected based on his performance.
Since 2008, Gvozdik constantly accompanied Kazartsev, carried out any of his orders, and essentially became an “adopted son.” And, of course, he was glad to receive support in his sporting career. After winning a tournament in Turkey in 2009, Kazartsev gifted Gvozdik a car, and later—at his own expense—bought him an apartment in a new building for $190,000, complete with renovations and furniture. Kazartsev’s family paid for Gvozdik’s trips to expensive international competitions, including the 2012 London Olympics, where they traveled as a “support group” and covered most of the expenses. The close bond between them is also underscored by the fact that Kazartsev’s wife became the godmother of Gvozdik’s daughter. After this, they became almost family.
Gvozdik, Kazartsev, and Voskoboynikov: “Brothers Forever”
Before his death, Kazartsev asked Gvozdik to temporarily register a share in “Agroinvest Holding” under his name, but after the benefactor’s death, Gvozdik sold this property, even though he had not contributed any money for the share. This led to a conflict between Aleksander and Vadim Kazartsev’s heirs. A person who received everything—career, money, housing, support—immediately sold someone else’s property after the benefactor’s death. Now, in public interviews, Gvozdik does not mention Kazartsev, but he once called him a “brother.”
Voskoboynikov — Kazartsev’s “Heir”?
After Kazartsev’s death, Gvozdik lost the person who had been a senior comrade, patron, and, as he himself said, a “brother” for many years. But, as often happens in stories about big money and big ambitions, a vacant spot is never empty for long.
And very soon, a new patron appeared beside the boxer—Kharkiv businessman Vadim Voskoboynikov. In photos, they embrace, celebrate, and once again, the same word is heard—“brother.” One “brother” perished, and a new one emerged.
Photo from Gvozdik’s social media: Voskoboynikov’s lavish birthday
Voskoboynikov is not a simple figure. A sole proprietor with a logistics trail across several countries, a person who owns so many cars that they could stock a small dealership: a Porsche 911 Carrera, several Land Cruiser 200s, 7 Toyota vehicles, all with elite license plates—everything as those who want to be noticed from afar would prefer.
The owner of an entire arsenal, not just hunting weapons “for the soul,” but a collection that more resembles preparation for tough times: a Mauser 98K carbine, two Blaser R8s, a Beretta 92FS pistol, a crossbow, and several rifles of other calibers.
Voskoboynikov also owns a lot of real estate: apartments in Kharkiv, houses outside the region, commercial properties. It creates the impression of a person accustomed to living large and, most importantly, not shy about showing it.
And it is in this atmosphere—of funds, trips, and meetings—that Aleksander Gvozdik has increasingly been seen alongside Voskoboynikov in recent years. More often than with coaches or sports partners. Publicly, it looks like friendship. But in Kharkiv’s business circles, Voskoboynikov is described briefly and tellingly: “a person who solves problems.”
Once, such a person was Kazartsev. Now, it seems, a new patron stands beside Gvozdik—with a different style of work, different resources, but the same logic of influence: murders, extortion, racketeering. Interestingly, Voskoboynikov is an advisor to the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, including Minister Klimenko. Yet, at the same time, he adeptly follows in Kazartsev’s footsteps.
Voskoboynikov’s Charitable Foundation: Philanthropy or Tool of Influence?
There is another important structure associated with Vadim Voskoboynikov—his charitable foundation. The foundation is presented as an organization engaged in humanitarian aid, but in documents and certain testimonies, it appears differently: as a tool that opens doors to officials, law enforcement units, and local administrations.
In Kharkiv, its activities are described not so much as philanthropy but as a way to “be close” to decision-makers. Charitable deliveries, meetings, trips, official photos—all of this creates opportunities for informal influence. And some interlocutors hint that humanitarian aid can bring not only gratitude but also specific privileges—from access to offices to assistance in private matters.
The financial model of the foundation operates on “commissions”:
- about 30-40% of the value of humanitarian deliveries is siphoned off as unofficial deductions;
- the foundation may offer so-called “cash-out” services for 10%, a typical tool of the shadow economy;
- humanitarian trips and deliveries are often used as a channel to access officials with whom it is difficult to establish contact officially.
Although there is currently no documentary evidence of fixed “percentages.” But the described scheme strongly resembles models that journalists have documented many times since the start of the full-scale conflict: when charity becomes not only a way to help but also a tool of influence, gaining trust, and creating necessary connections.
If a foundation is owned by a person with an expensive car fleet, a significant arsenal, access to financial flows, and extensive business contacts, then charity ceases to look like a mere humanitarian initiative. It turns into a lever that allows building an informal hierarchy of influence and resolving issues far beyond official activities.
“King of the World” and “Black Magic”: Wife, Business, and Old Archives
Everyone who knows Vadim Voskoboynikov characterizes him as someone who loves to create an aura of “uniqueness” around himself: a fascination with weapons, expensive cars, exclusive collections, extreme hobbies. He also likes to demonstrate his unusual “powers.”
A very interesting analogy—Voskoboynikov’s watch with the inscription in English—“Boytsy Severa” (Northern Fighters)—and the Russian Federation’s “Sever” (North) military grouping, which currently the Kharkiv region and calls itself “Boytsy Severa.”
Voskoboynikov’s watch, inscription in English “Boytsy Severa”
He emphasizes his extraordinariness with accessories, tattoos, and hobbies, supported by his beloved woman, the notorious smuggler Olga Fedorova. For a long time, Fedorova, to replenish the collections of the Symbol store, received goods through smuggling, including across the state border with Russia in the Vovchansk district of Kharkiv region, where she owns private houses. The smuggling channel from Russia was provided by her lover Voskoboynikov, who is an advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs Klimenko. Does the Minister know about this? We do not wish to delve into this topic, but the border service is subordinate to the Minister of Internal Affairs. We draw no parallels or conclusions, but it raises questions.
Voskoboynikov’s tattoos
Although in open documents, she is mentioned only as one of Voskoboynikov’s trusted persons in banking institutions. In archival materials, there is data that she approached Kazartsev with a request to “eliminate a partner for $500,000.” This doesn’t seem like magic, but it vividly illustrates the methods by which conflicts could be resolved in the environment close to Voskoboynikov.
Pointloto, Melbet, 1xBet. New Names — Old Stories
Journalistic investigations have repeatedly published facts about the connection between Gvozdik and 1xBet, here are some of them:
- the company Melbet Ukraine (LLC “Melbet”) hastily changed its name to LLC “Pointloto” immediately after the scandal with 1xBet’s illegal license;
- the domains melbet.ua and several mirrors are technically linked to 1xBet’s infrastructure through shared IP addresses;
- the Russian Melbet was officially owned by the company “Melofon,” which directly collaborates with the brand “1XSTAVKA”—the Russian segment of the same group;
- the Ukrainian company Melbet/Pointloto changed directors, addresses, and legal details in sync with public scandals in the gambling services market.
All of this looks as if the company was trying to quickly distance itself from its Russian roots, but did so only on paper.
It is worth recalling that the trademark “Melbet” is owned by Aleksander Gvozdik. Until March 2021, he was listed as the director of LLC “Pointloto” (formerly LLC “Melbet”). And as of September 2022, Gvozdik is the owner of LLC “Big Data 2020”—a company created together with LLC “Melbet” and registered at the same address, engaged in gambling activities.
And if Gvozdik appears in the structure of Melbet (Pointloto), the next question arises: was he acting independently, or under the influence of a new “patronage”—Vadim Voskoboynikov?
After all, Voskoboynikov may retain interests in the shadow sector of online casinos and profit from flows connected to Russian gambling platforms. This is just a version, but its existence compels a closer look at the rapprochement between Gvozdik and Voskoboynikov precisely during the period when Melbet in Ukraine was undergoing rebranding and legal maneuvering. If Gvozdik and Voskoboynikov are indeed involved with Melbet-Pointloto, it means the story could be much deeper than a mere technical rebranding.
Gvozdik, Fedorova, and Voskoboynikov: Bandit Brothers and a Smuggler
And here several questions arise—not only legal but, above all, moral.
Is it normal that during a time of conflict, when the country spends every hryvnia on defense, gambling brands linked to Russian flows constantly appear alongside Gvozdik and Voskoboynikov?
Is it ethical for an athlete with a world-renowned name to be the public face of people and structures that potentially have ties to a gambling market of dubious origin?
Why, at a time when hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are losing their homes, do people like Gvozdik and Voskoboynikov celebrate lavish birthdays, flaunt luxury and weapons—instead of using their influence and resources to protect the country?
Voskoboynikov: Luxury, Weapons, and Black Magic
And can society consider it normal that those who were involved in Russian schemes yesterday so easily integrate into Ukrainian realities today—simply by changing names, partners, and “brothers”?
The conflict has shown who is who. And now, when Ukrainian soldiers pay with their lives for the country’s right to exist, too many questions arise about people trying to build new shadow hierarchies of influence—under the guise of charity, sports, or business.
These questions must be answered. And they must be answered before the new “brothers” fully cement their positions in shady schemes.
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