Editor’s note: In this feature, the Kyiv Post brings together the most relevant events from morning headlines.
On the heels of his purchase of United Media Holdings (UMH), 27-year-old up-and-coming businessman Serhiy Kurchenko sits down with Forbes Ukraine – a magazine he will own once the deal is closed in early 2014 – in a combative interview during which he responds to questions regarding allegations of corrupt business practices and his secretive behavior with more questions than answers.
Asked about whether the he will allow Forbes staff editorial independence, the young oligarch tells the magazine he’s attempted to reach out to Forbes chief editor Vladimir Fedorin, who said Kurchenko’s purchase of the magazine would mean the end of it in its current form and that he’d resign from the magazine on Oct. 1., with no success.
Ukraine’s largest building materials chain “Epicenter” will enter the Russian market, Kommersant reports. According to the newspaper, the retailer plans to build about 20 stores in Russia over the next 10 years, investing in them about $1.5 billion. Company managers say the market in Russia is ripe for the building materials company to move in. However, it may face problems finding the necessary land, experts say.
Defense Minister Pavel Lebedev tells Kommersant newspaper that he believes Ukraine could experience territorial conflicts in the not so distant future. “Experts estimate that in the next seven years, the territorial integrity of Ukraine is not in danger. However, territorial conflicts motivated by economic reasons (are possible).” The Minister notes, though, that the Ministry of Defense, National Security Council and president are closely monitoring the geopolitical situation of the country.
Vesti interviews Vadim Titushko, the man accused of beating two journalists during an opposition rally on May 18 in Kyiv. Asked whether he intentionally hit the two journalists – a married couple – Titushko says he would never hit a woman, and did not on that day. “She just tripped and fell,” he says. A court is set to hear the case starting Monday.
