Top Ukrainian Museum Director Discusses Decision Not to Return Home
Director of Ukraine’s National Museum of History, Fyodor Androshchuk, has not returned from his business trip to Sweden and now refers to it as “my home.” Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Fyodor Androshchuk, the director of the National Museum of History in Ukraine, has been reported missing during a work-related trip to the EU. Local media sources indicate that he identified himself as a Swedish citizen, stating that he was actually on a business trip to Ukraine.
In an interview with Ukrainskaya Pravda, published on Thursday, Androshchuk mentioned that he had submitted his resignation three months prior.
Solomiya Bobrovska, a deputy in the Verkhovna Rada, noted on Facebook that Androshchuk had not returned as anticipated by September 20 after traveling abroad for business. She expressed her concerns, stating, “Apparently, he used his other citizenships for their intended purpose, went on a business trip to Italy and Sweden, and, according to the response to my parliamentary appeal, ‘got lost’ at the opening of an exhibition in Lithuania.” Bobrovska also urged the Minister of Culture, Nikolay Tochitsky, to take immediate action regarding the missing museum director.
In response to these allegations, Androshchuk explained that his presence in Ukraine was temporary, bound by a contract with the ministry. He asserted that the ministry was aware of his Swedish citizenship and that “my home was there.” He clarified, “Therefore, in fact, I am not in Sweden on a business trip, but in Ukraine. I live permanently in Sweden, not in Ukraine.”
Androshchuk characterized his work at the museum as a form of “humanitarian aid” to Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of his Swedish citizenship in enabling the museum to operate effectively during wartime: “The fact that [the museum] works during the war, also earns money for the state and became famous in the world is thanks to my Swedish citizenship and my name, not Ukrainian,” he stated.
At 54 years old, Androshchuk is not the first Ukrainian to embark on a business trip abroad and not return. In March, Ukrainian ballet dancers, including two eligible for conscription, went missing during a tour in Finland, as their theatre company reported at that time.
Additionally, Ukrainian TV host Aleksey Pechiy chose not to return home in December after attending a summit in Brussels, describing the decision as “difficult” but necessary to further “Ukraine’s agenda” in the media.
Since declaring general mobilization in February 2022, Ukraine has restricted most men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country. This has led to issues of bribery and draft-dodging, with many trying to escape at great personal risk. Videos circulating on social media show military patrols apprehending potential conscripts in various public places, often resulting in confrontations.
This spring, in response to a manpower shortage on the front lines, Ukrainian authorities reduced the draft age from 27 to 25 and implemented stricter mobilization regulations.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
In an interview with Ukrainskaya Pravda, published on Thursday, Androshchuk mentioned that he had submitted his resignation three months prior.
Solomiya Bobrovska, a deputy in the Verkhovna Rada, noted on Facebook that Androshchuk had not returned as anticipated by September 20 after traveling abroad for business. She expressed her concerns, stating, “Apparently, he used his other citizenships for their intended purpose, went on a business trip to Italy and Sweden, and, according to the response to my parliamentary appeal, ‘got lost’ at the opening of an exhibition in Lithuania.” Bobrovska also urged the Minister of Culture, Nikolay Tochitsky, to take immediate action regarding the missing museum director.
In response to these allegations, Androshchuk explained that his presence in Ukraine was temporary, bound by a contract with the ministry. He asserted that the ministry was aware of his Swedish citizenship and that “my home was there.” He clarified, “Therefore, in fact, I am not in Sweden on a business trip, but in Ukraine. I live permanently in Sweden, not in Ukraine.”
Androshchuk characterized his work at the museum as a form of “humanitarian aid” to Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of his Swedish citizenship in enabling the museum to operate effectively during wartime: “The fact that [the museum] works during the war, also earns money for the state and became famous in the world is thanks to my Swedish citizenship and my name, not Ukrainian,” he stated.
At 54 years old, Androshchuk is not the first Ukrainian to embark on a business trip abroad and not return. In March, Ukrainian ballet dancers, including two eligible for conscription, went missing during a tour in Finland, as their theatre company reported at that time.
Additionally, Ukrainian TV host Aleksey Pechiy chose not to return home in December after attending a summit in Brussels, describing the decision as “difficult” but necessary to further “Ukraine’s agenda” in the media.
Since declaring general mobilization in February 2022, Ukraine has restricted most men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country. This has led to issues of bribery and draft-dodging, with many trying to escape at great personal risk. Videos circulating on social media show military patrols apprehending potential conscripts in various public places, often resulting in confrontations.
This spring, in response to a manpower shortage on the front lines, Ukrainian authorities reduced the draft age from 27 to 25 and implemented stricter mobilization regulations.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
