Hennadii Vatsak

Biography

Hennadii Vatsak became a Member of the Verkhovna Rada of the 9th convocation (District No. 16, Mohyliv-Podilskyi, as well as the Kryzhopil, Mohyliv-Podilskyi, Pishchanka, Chechelnyk, and Yampil districts of the Vinnytsia region) as an independent candidate. During the election campaign, he engaged in “vote-buying” (gifting groceries), and when comparing the campaign funds of majoritarian candidates in the Vinnytsia region, the cost per vote was highest for Vatsak. He was elected Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Transport and Infrastructure.

Journalists discovered that the MP uses an expensive Rolls-Royce. The price of such a car reached $700,000. The politician explained that he rents it from the “Vatsak” confectionery firm, which he founded in 2002. This is not the only expensive vehicle the MP has been spotted in; it also became known that Vatsak owns a Rolls-Royce Spectre worth $600,000. Investigators dubbed the MPs who purchased such expensive vehicles during the war as the “Rolls-Royce Battalion.”

During Verkhovna Rada sessions, journalists noticed the MP resolving business matters. Later, in 2025, it became known that this business may not have been paying taxes in full. Notably, Vatsak had already been in litigation with the tax authorities in 2012.

Previously, the politician was a deputy of the Vinnytsia Regional Council of the 7th convocation from the “Petro Poroshenko Bloc” in District No. 82. He was elected Secretary of the Standing Committee on Legality, Anti-Corruption, Lustration, Regulations, and Deputy Activities. During sessions, he wore clothes selected by a stylist.

He was also a deputy of the Vinnytsia Regional Council of the 6th convocation from the “Batkivshchyna” (Fatherland) All-Ukrainian Union (as a party member) in District No. 63 (Mohyliv-Podilskyi district, Vinnytsia region).

His sons left the country via the “Shliakh” system after the start of the full-scale invasion in expensive vehicles—a Bentley and a Lamborghini. This was reported by Ukrainska Pravda. In 2024, the “Vatsak” Confectionery House opened a store in Romania under a franchise.

Timeline of Key Events

2026

Voted in the first reading for the controversial draft Civil Code (15150) submitted by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk. The 803-page draft, which the Ministry of Justice had not managed to review within three weeks of registration, was fast-tracked through parliament. The legislative initiative contained provisions allowing for the carve-up of state and municipal property—forests, coastlines, and subsoil resources. Additionally, the project contained risks to freedom of speech. Following the parliamentary vote, street protests broke out in several regions. A petition demanding a veto garnered over 25,000 signatures on the first day of registration. Judges of the Supreme Court also expressed substantial objections. The draft Civil Code, which had not undergone proper discussion, effectively destroyed judicial practice developed over 20 years.

2025

It became known that the Vatsak-affiliated business “Vatsak Confectionery House” may not have been paying taxes in full. Notably, Vatsak had been in litigation with the tax authorities previously—13 years ago.

Voted for the liquidation of the independence of anti-corruption bodies—the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Draft #12414). After the law was passed, protests began near Bankova Street, but Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law that same day. Later, the President submitted a project restoring the independence of anti-corruption bodies. At the end of July, following public and international pressure, the parliamentary majority voted for project #13533, which restored the powers of the anti-corruption bodies.

Supported the project regarding a special procedure for the compulsory alienation of land in the Uzhhorod district of the Zakarpattia region (#9549). The initiative contained scandalous provisions creating risks for both deforestation and the development of a corrupt scheme to purchase real estate using budget funds at prices 3–3.6 times higher than market value. These provisions violated the Constitution, and the President vetoed the bill, but MPs ignored most objections during the revision.

Abstained from voting on the so-called “Ihor Mazepa Law” (Draft 12089). This legislative initiative essentially reflected the demands of unscrupulous businesses. The law provides for the “resetting” of claims regarding illegally acquired forests and coastal lands if ten years have passed since they entered private ownership. This means that all such land grabs that occurred over the last decade could be legalised. Despite a petition demanding a veto gathering over 25,000 signatures, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the document. The first victim of the “Ihor Mazepa Law” was the case concerning Protasiv Yar, which was defended by the late scout and Kyiv resident Roman Ratushnyi.

Supported Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk’s controversial bill to abolish the Commercial Code of Ukraine (#6013). While the initiators declared an expansion of economic freedoms, the law canceled fundamental norms of state-business interaction and governance in state and municipal economic sectors. A number of NGOs emphasised that the law posed risks to national security and could lead to a large-scale redistribution of the country’s assets.

2024

Was absent during the vote on bill #8371, which provided for the prohibition in Ukraine of religious organisations whose governing centres are located in a state carrying out armed aggression against Ukraine. In reality, Vatsak was present in the session hall, but removed his card from the “Rada” electronic system at the time of the vote (resulting in the roll-call vote indicating his absence).

An investigation by Ukrainska Pravda revealed that both of Vatsak’s sons—Stanislav and Vladyslav—left the country after the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, using the “Shliakh” system under the guise of volunteering, while driving their luxury vehicles.

2023

Did not vote for bill #9296-d on strengthening financial monitoring of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). The key change introduced by the bill was the introduction of a lifelong PEP status for top officials, replacing the current three-year limit after leaving office.

Vatsak appeared in a Bihus.info investigation regarding MPs purchasing luxury cars during the full-scale war. In particular, the MP purchased a 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Black Badge version. At the time, the price for such a vehicle started at $700,000.

Abstained from voting for the immediate opening of electronic declarations during martial law.

“Nashi Hroshi” (Our Money) discovered that the Housing and Utility Services Department of the Mohyliv-Podilskyi City Council concluded a contract for the capital repair of a road on M. Hudziia Street worth over 4 million UAH with “Production Complex ‘Camelot’,” the sole bidder. The enterprise was owned by MP Vatsak at the time. Despite a minimal amount of its own machinery, the firm was expected to fulfill the order using rented equipment and machinery from state structures.

2020

Joined the “Dovira” (Trust) deputy group. Previously, he was a member of the “Za Maybutnie” (For the Future) deputy group.

Voted for the “anti-Kolomoiskyi law” (Draft #2571-d), which prohibited the return of insolvent banks removed from the market to their former owners.

2019

Did not vote for bill #1031 on restoring punishment for illicit enrichment and the establishment of civil forfeiture for unjustifiably acquired assets.

Elected as an MP of the 9th convocation. Elected Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Transport and Infrastructure.

During the election campaign, he was spotted engaging in “vote-buying” by organising free medical examinations.

2018

It was discovered that the MP’s family had acquired 5 new cars over two years, with a total value of at least 3.5 million UAH, despite the Vatsaks’ income in that period being only 2.4 million UAH. The MP did not notify the National Agency on Corruption Prevention regarding the changes to his property status.

This year, Vatsak held his son’s wedding. It took place in Vinnytsia, as there was no restaurant large enough in Mohyliv-Podilskyi. 180 guests were invited, along with performer Olha Polyakova.

2016

The head of the “StateWatch” organisation published a blog on Ukrainska Pravda regarding the possible abuse of “For Merits to the Vinnytsia Region” honorary awards by local deputies. Vatsak was one of the figures named, having voted for the award decisions while simultaneously being included on the list of candidates for the award while a member of the Regional Council. It was noted that all recipients, including several deputies, received additional payments from the regional budget of 5,000 UAH, which contradicts anti-corruption legislation. Notably, at that time, Vatsak held the position of Secretary of the Standing Committee on Anti-Corruption of the Vinnytsia Regional Council.

The politician opened a children’s chess school, “Vatsak,” in Mohyliv-Podilskyi, Vinnytsia region. He supported the “Spartak-Vatsak” sports club and financed the construction of a 40-meter fountain on the Maidan Shany in Mohyliv-Podilskyi.

2015

Elected as a deputy of the Vinnytsia Regional Council of the 7th convocation from the “Petro Poroshenko Bloc.” Elected Secretary of the Standing Committee on Legality, Anti-Corruption, Lustration, Regulations, and Deputy Activities.

2010

Elected as a deputy of the Vinnytsia Regional Council of the 6th convocation from “Batkivshchyna.”

2002

Founded the “Vatsak Confectionery House” society. In 2024, it became known that the “Vatsak Confectionery House” is opening a store in Romania under a franchise.

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