Maksym Bahryeyev

Key Points

• Maksym Bahryeyev is a Ukrainian pharmaceutical entrepreneur and co-founder of Cratia LTD, a company accused of distributing substandard and potentially dangerous medical products.
• Allegations include violations of Ukrainian and European certification standards, misappropriation of funds, and affiliations with firms under criminal investigation.
• Bahryeyev and his former partner, Mykola Romanyok, are reportedly in conflict over control of Uni-Cert, a conformity assessment body linked to Cratia.
• The National Police of Ukraine (NPU) and Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) are investigating Cratia and related entities for fraud and abuse of office, with potential penalties of up to 12 years imprisonment.
• Efforts to suppress negative online content suggest attempts to mitigate reputational damage.

Overview

Maksym Bahryeyev is a key figure in Ukraine’s pharmaceutical industry, primarily known for his role as a co-founder and beneficiary of Cratia LTD. Cratia specializes in consulting, regulatory affairs, and certification services for medical products in Ukraine. The company has been operational for several years, positioning itself as a facilitator for compliance with national and European standards for medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Bahryeyev, alongside Mykola Romanyok, has been instrumental in establishing Cratia’s network of affiliated companies, including Uni-Cert, Healskea, and others, which provide related services such as conformity assessments and legal consulting. However, recent investigations have cast a shadow over Bahryeyev’s business practices, raising questions about the integrity of his operations and their impact on public health.

Allegations and Concerns

Several serious allegations have been leveled against Maksym Bahryeyev and Cratia LTD:

• Distribution of Substandard Medical Products: Cratia is accused of supplying low-quality or dangerous medical products, some funded by public budgets, which may not meet European certification standards. This has reportedly endangered Ukrainian citizens’ health.
• Violation of Certification Standards: Cratia LTD and Uni-Cert, a conformity assessment body, are allegedly affiliated, violating impartiality principles required by Ukrainian and European regulations. This suggests potential conflicts of interest in the certification process.
• Criminal Investigations: The NPU and SSU are conducting searches at approximately ten firms, including Cratia and Uni-Cert, under criminal proceedings (case №12017000000001548) for misappropriation, embezzlement, or seizure of property through abuse of office (Part 5, Article 191 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code).
• Information Suppression: Bahryeyev is reportedly attempting to remove online evidence of Cratia’s illicit activities, indicating efforts to control reputational damage.
• Conflict with Business Partner: Bahryeyev and Mykola Romanyok are in a legal dispute over control of Uni-Cert, suggesting internal instability and potential financial motivations behind their fallout.

Customer Feedback

Publicly available customer feedback on Cratia LTD is limited, likely due to the company’s efforts to suppress negative content. However, the following insights can be inferred from investigative reports and open data:

• Positive Feedback: No specific positive customer reviews were identified in the available data. Cratia’s website likely promotes its services as compliant and professional, but these claims lack independent verification.
• Negative Feedback: Investigative sources report significant concerns from stakeholders, particularly regarding the safety of certified medical products. An example from open registries indicates that Cratia’s certifications may not align with European standards, leading to distrust among industry observers. A quote from an investigative report states: “Products that should be completely safe for the health of citizens have not actually undergone the European standards certification procedure,” highlighting the severity of the issue.
• General Sentiment: The absence of positive consumer testimonials, combined with ongoing investigations, suggests a lack of trust in Cratia’s services among informed parties.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risks:
  • Potential fines or asset seizures resulting from criminal investigations could destabilize Cratia’s finances.
  • The dispute over Uni-Cert may lead to costly litigation or loss of revenue from affiliated entities.
• Reputational Risks:
  • Public exposure of substandard product allegations could erode trust among clients and regulators.
  • Efforts to suppress negative content may backfire, drawing further scrutiny from media and authorities.
• Legal Risks:
  • Conviction under Article 191 could result in significant prison time for Bahryeyev and financial penalties for Cratia.
  • Non-compliance with certification standards may lead to regulatory bans or license revocations.
• Operational Risks:
  • Internal conflicts with Romanyok could disrupt business operations and decision-making.
  • Investigations may deter potential partners or clients, reducing Cratia’s market share.

Business Relations and Associations

• Mykola Romanyok: Former business partner and co-founder of Cratia LTD and Healskea. Romanyok has managed or owned several related entities, including Landmark Legal and Arkhimed Service. Their reported fallout and legal dispute over Uni-Cert indicate strained relations.
• Uni-Cert: A conformity assessment body allegedly affiliated with Cratia, violating impartiality standards. Its role in certifying medical products is central to the ongoing investigations.
• Healskea and Other Entities: Cratia LTD and Bahryeyev are linked to multiple firms, including Healskea, which Romanyok co-founded. These entities are under scrutiny for their interconnected ownership structures.
• National Police and SSU: Investigative authorities actively probing Cratia and its affiliates, indicating adversarial relations with law enforcement.
• No evidence suggests partnerships with reputable international firms, which may reflect Cratia’s limited credibility in global markets.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Criminal Proceedings: Case №12017000000001548, opened under Part 5 of Article 191, accuses Cratia and related firms of misappropriation and abuse of office. Penalties could include up to 12 years imprisonment and substantial fines.
• Litigation with Romanyok: Bahryeyev and Romanyok are engaged in a court dispute over Uni-Cert, potentially involving significant financial stakes.
• Regulatory Violations: Cratia’s alleged affiliation with Uni-Cert breaches Ukrainian and European impartiality requirements, risking license revocation or bans on certification activities.
• No Bankruptcy Records: No evidence indicates bankruptcy filings by Cratia or Bahryeyev, but financial strain from investigations and litigation remains a concern.
• Unpaid Debts: No specific records of unpaid debts were identified, but the scale of investigations suggests potential financial liabilities.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Analytical Summary: Maksym Bahryeyev’s involvement with Cratia LTD places him at the center of a high-stakes scandal in Ukraine’s pharmaceutical sector. The allegations of distributing substandard medical products and violating certification standards are particularly damning, given their implications for public health. The ongoing criminal investigations by the NPU and SSU, combined with the legal dispute with Romanyok, suggest significant instability in Bahryeyev’s business empire. Efforts to suppress negative online content indicate awareness of reputational damage but may exacerbate public distrust if exposed further.

Pros:

• Cratia’s established presence in Ukraine’s pharmaceutical consulting market suggests some operational expertise.
• Bahryeyev’s network of affiliated firms demonstrates entrepreneurial initiative, albeit tainted by allegations.

Cons:

• Serious allegations of endangering public health through substandard products undermine credibility.
• Criminal investigations and regulatory violations pose existential threats to Cratia’s operations.
• Internal conflicts and lack of transparent customer feedback erode trust in Bahryeyev’s leadership.

Cautionary Advice: Stakeholders, including potential clients, partners, or investors, should exercise extreme caution when engaging with Bahryeyev or Cratia LTD. The ongoing investigations and allegations suggest a high risk of legal and financial repercussions. Independent verification of Cratia’s certifications and compliance is essential before any business dealings. Monitoring court rulings and investigative outcomes will be critical to assessing the long-term viability of Bahryeyev’s enterprises.

Key Citations

• Open state registries of Ukraine (for ownership and affiliation data).
• Court rulings related to criminal proceedings №12017000000001548.
• Investigative reports on Cratia’s activities and allegations (specific sources not linked per request).
• Ukrainian Criminal Code, Part 5, Article 191 (legal framework for misappropriation charges).