Dmitro622248 has, I dare say, been unmasked. And that shocked me. And not just me.
How it began
Last week I saw the first posts by @Lorelei_0502 asking Dmitro to provide financial documents and proof of purchase and delivery for the expensive items — including vehicles for the front — for which money had been raised on X.
Instead of responding substantively, Dmitro initially blocked @Lorelei_0502 . From that moment on, I began to have doubts. Shortly afterwards she was unblocked, and Dmitro promised to provide the requested information within 10 days. I decided not to comment publicly yet and to wait and see what would happen during those 10 days.
We now know the outcome. On 29 July 2026, Dmitro took his account offline. In the meantime, screenshots from his wife’s Instagram account have been circulating, showing that the family has been living a very luxurious life since 2024: a house, luxury cars, jewellery, expensive hotel stays, and a luxury salon.
Red flags
I always find it risky to draw conclusions without hard evidence, but looking at the messages and reactions I have seen so far, I cannot help mentioning these red flags:
- How can someone who has suffered two strokes in a short period of time explain that he walked 44 km in two days to retrieve wounded fighters on foot?
- How can someone publicly complain about the living conditions of his wife and two children in a one-room dwelling, while photos show them living in luxury?
- How can someone afford this level of luxury for the past two years when they did not have it before?
- Why are photos of Kot’s gold jewellery now being hastily removed from social media?
- Where are the delivery reports for the vehicles and other items financed by donors?
- How can someone book a hotel room at $500 a night?
10 days
Before Dmitro closed his account, and before the Instagram information came out, I still hoped that the requested documents would appear — that there had simply been a delay because he had been in hospital. But with all these red flags, I can only conclude that all donors, including myself, have been scammed. We did not save lives; we paid for jewellery and private cars.
I am furious. With everything we now know, the following questions keep going round in my head:
- How much money was embezzled instead of going to the front? $100,000? $150,000? $200,000?
- How many fighters from the 33rd Brigade were killed because Kot valued personal wealth more highly?
- How many more fighters could we have helped and kept alive with the money that has now been spent on luxury cars and jewellery?
- How many donors are throwing in the towel because they have had enough of scammers who are eventually exposed?
- Will this case have any consequences for Kot, or will he simply get away with it legally?
- Is it true that someone who tried to bring this to light six months ago, with evidence, was opposed by someone who now claims to have known nothing?
- Is this grist to the mill of Russian propaganda — “after all, Ukraine is so corrupt”?
What's my personal take on this?
I feel incredibly bad because I took the word of others: “I know him personally and he can be trusted.” My donations to Kot could have saved lives, but they were used for personal luxury instead. My publicly shared donations may also have encouraged other supporters of Ukraine to donate. I spend a great deal of time on my own website, which was set up precisely to publish fundraising efforts transparently. I place great value on financial accountability and delivery reports — for example in the fundraisers run by Irishka from Kherson. Almost no one knows me personally, and I am not from Ukraine. This is about accountability for other people’s money — money from strangers. I know how long it takes to build trust, and how one mistake can undo all that effort. I have even stopped donating to fundraisers run by volunteers who promised financial reports but stopped publishing them. Dmitro was given the benefit of the doubt.
Many shocked
I see that many people are shocked. First and foremost the NAFO community. Hard-earned dollars have gone to the wrong place. Some feel bad because they enthusiastically shared the fundraisers. Trust has been seriously damaged — and not for the first time.
Ukrainians are also shocked: a sense of vicarious shame, anger and indignation.
I have noted a few points for myself:
- In future I will ask questions about fundraising campaigns publicly rather than by direct message — questions that may also be relevant to other potential donors.
- Of course I will continue to donate to Ukraine. Many volunteers and organisations are genuinely committed to supporting the fighters at the front or providing humanitarian aid to people and animals.
To anyone who relied on the messages and donations I shared regarding Dmitro, I offer my sincere apologies.
