On August 22, Valerii Stepanuik, an advisor to the Irpin city mayor, disseminated information stating that all urban planning conditions and restrictions issued from December 5, 2022, to April 25, 2024, are illegal because they were signed by Mykhailo Sapon, the head of the architecture and urban planning department, who was supposedly on military service during that time.
This claim by the advisor to Oleksandr Markushyn confirms the illegality of the urban planning documentation issued during this period by Irpin’s chief architect, Mykhailo Sapon, particularly for the reconstruction of the Romaniv Bridge; buildings reconstructed under the UNITED24 initiative; the renovation of a private area on Bahirova Street (under the Presidential program); and the reconstruction of apartment buildings on Severynivska Street. Since this documentation was signed by Mykhailo Sapon, the mayor’s advisor asserts that he did not have the right to do so.
The advisor’s position contradicts letters from the mayor of Irpin, Oleksandr Markushyn, who signed off on work documentation for Mykhailo Sapon. If Sapon was serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and could not sign these documents, then why did Markushyn authorize letters for Sapon, putting the urban planning documentation for the reconstruction of Irpin at risk? Did Markushyn knowingly issue Sapon illegal directives, despite being aware of the situation?
According to Valerii Stepanuik, “Sapon was on military service and did not have the right to sign these documents according to the order of the Irpin city mayor dated October 31, 2022, No. 209-o ‘On the Release of Sapon M.M. from Work During Military Service Due to Mobilization.’”
Based on the advisor’s statements, the Irpin bridge, kindergartens, and schools reconstructed under international and state programs were done illegally.
Considering that Markushyn signed documents for Sapon during his service in the Armed Forces, serious legal issues await Markushyn with law enforcement agencies.
It is quite possible that for defaming the serviceman Mykhailo Sapon, the military, whose merits Markushyn has repeatedly appropriated, will remind him of himself. This is particularly true given his public statements claiming that he liberated the city of Bucha from the enemy.
Unlike TikToker Markushyn, chief architect Mykhailo Sapon took up arms to defend the country from the very first day in Dymyr. Sapon was seriously wounded and, while recovering, did everything possible for the restoration of Irpin. Later, as a volunteer, he went to serve in the Armed Forces.