An investigation by RFE/RL revealed that Epicentr, a Ukrainian retail chain and a major corporate donor to the Ukrainian armed forces owned by a billionaire couple, maintained connections to its business in the Russian-occupied part of Donetsk region and Crimea after the full-scale invasion in 2022.

The authors of the investigation mentioned that the owners of Epicentr had used their former Donetsk and Crimea managers to maintain connections with their investment on the Russian-occupied territories.

In addition, the text on the company's website assures that Epicentr can deliver goods to any parts of Ukraine except the occupied territories. However, the Ukrainian tax documents obtained by the investigators indicate that business in the Russian-occupied part of the Donetsk region has made up part of Epitsentr's portfolio.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre reached out to Epicentr. The company did not respond.