Vsevolod Kozhemyako swapped his business suit for military fatigues and founded one of the most feared fighting forces in Ukraine
Vsevolod Kozhemyako is the founder of the ‘Khartia’ battalion – dubbed the ‘billionaire’s brigade’ – which was key in taking back Kupiansk
27 January 2026
Vsevolod Kozhemyako, the Ukrainian grain billionaire, considered his new job while playing Beethoven’s Für Elise on a grand piano in a dimly lit Kharkiv hotel, dressed in full military fatigues
“Yes, I’m a businessman,” he said. “And now I’m a commander of a military unit in Ukraine.”
The light infantry battalion he founded nearly four years ago – the 13th “Khartia” Brigade – was a band of civilian volunteers financed by his fortune and the support of other wealthy donors.
This week, Khartia raised the Ukrainian flag over Kupiansk in a pushback of Vladimir Putin’s troops and a much-needed morale boost for a country struggling with shortages of men to defend its cities and energy to keep them warm.
It was a striking symbol that Kyiv’s forces are far from yielding to Russia’s “meat grinder” tactics and cemented the unit as one of the most effective at Ukraine’s disposal.
“The Kupiansk operation proves that through planning, trained commanders and staffs, and quality unit preparation – everything we call the Khartia method – you can successfully stop and destroy the enemy,” said Col Ihor Obolensky.
As Russia continues to make steady gains in a grinding war of attrition along the roughly 600-mile front line, it is a statement that Kyiv hopes will be heard in Washington.
Mr Kozhemyako’s unit has transformed from a makeshift dream – an uneven mix of civilians and elite equipment – into a force leading precision counter-attacks on one of the war’s deadliest fronts.
The success of Khartia – referred to as the “billionaire’s brigade” – appears to have settled weeks of disputed claims by both Russia and Ukraine over control of the strategic city.
It has arrived at a moment when demonstrating strength could hardly be more crucial for Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president.
Kupiansk, south east of Kharkiv, has been a hotspot for Russian “meat grinder” attacks – where Moscow crashes waves of soldiers against Ukrainian defences – for months now.
The city seemed on the brink of being overrun just a few weeks ago, but in a dramatic turnaround, Ukrainian troops said they had nearly expelled all Russian forces this week, raising the Ukrainian flag on top of the battered remains of the city’s council building on Monday.
Intelligence reports revealed a 1:27 kill ratio in the battle for the city, with 27 Russian soldiers lost for each Ukrainian.
Khartia was deployed alongside regular and less experienced units in the area, which came together to form a layered defence and attack model.
Ukrainian forces used this approach to absorb Russian assaults while preserving elite troops for decisive strikes.
The units slipped in quietly over the autumn, advancing through the forests surrounding Kupiansk before pushing into the city itself.
Khartia’s units focused on key points in Kupiansk, including rail crossings, river approaches and urban chokepoints, turning streets and industrial zones into concentrated kill zones for advancing Russian forces.
The brigade’s operations relied on careful reconnaissance, mobility and coordination with artillery and drone teams.
By striking suddenly and withdrawing before Russian units could stabilise, Khartia inflicted disproportionate casualties and forced Russian troops into disorganised retreats.
Their presence also allowed Ukrainian forces to rotate less-experienced brigades into the line without compromising the overall defence.
Behind the victory stands Mr Kozhemyako, a businessman with a distinct personal profile that has captured the attention of the media for its eccentricities.
Before the war, his social media showed a life rich in travel and outdoor pursuits, from skiing in the Alps to yachting.
The 55-year-old father of four mixed his luxury holidays with running, cycling and golf.
In 2017, he ran the New York City Marathon in under three and a half hours.
Mr Kozhemyako is the founder and chief executive of Agrotrade Group, one of Ukraine’s largest grain producers and exporters. Today, however, his attention is fully on the war.
Khartia was founded by Mr Kozhemyako in March 2022, shortly after Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine began, starting life as a volunteer unit attached to the 127th Territorial Defence Brigade in Kharkiv.
Operating independently from the Ukrainian army, but accepting its orders, Khartia took on its nickname as the “billionaire’s battalion” for its funding model and backing of numerous wealthy donors.
Military tracking sites estimate that Khartia’s manpower likely falls in the range of about 1,500 to 5,000 personnel.
Technically, the battalion is a territorial defence unit, a wartime necessity that will go away when the war is over.
“As soon as the wartime is finished, we are again civilians,” he said, nearly four years ago.
But today, his unit stands as an elite Ukrainian National Guard assault formation, specialising in swift counter-attacks, urban warfare and drone-enabled operations, and has distinguished itself as one of the most successful units around Kupiansk.
The raising of the Ukrainian flag over the city marks a significant victory at a moment when demonstrating military strength has never been more crucial on the world stage.
In comments made this week, Donald Trump, the US president, asserted that Mr Zelensky – not Putin – is the main obstacle to reaching a peace deal to end the war.
“I think he’s ready to make a deal. I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal,” Mr Trump told Reuters.
The president’s comments have heightened the stakes for Kyiv, underscoring the need to prove that Ukrainian forces are capable, effective, and making tangible gains on the battlefield.
But for every Ukrainian victory, there is a setback. Some 150 miles away from Kupiansk, near the city of Huliaipole, its forces were pulling back – demonstrating Kyiv’s manpower shortages.
Its lack of personnel has forced it to use “firefighter” units, such as Khartia, to react to Russian pressure, which often leaves other fronts exposed.
This makes its successes even more important. Demonstrating battlefield success makes it far more difficult for Mr Trump to depict Ukraine as stagnant or incapable of altering the course of the conflict, according to experts.
“Ukraine’s recent successes around Kupiansk are crucial to show that it will not capitulate as some in the White House think, and quite the converse, it is Ukraine now making ground,” Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a military expert and former tank commander, told The Telegraph.
“Putin is desperate for Trump to pull the plug on Ukraine, and Trump has been looking elsewhere, even blaming Zelensky for lack of progress on the peace plan when nearly everyone else is blaming him and the Russian leader.”
Amid these high-stakes political debates, it is Mr Kozhemyako and the soldiers of Khartia who have provided a tangible demonstration of Ukraine’s resilience.
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King tells Ukraine: We stand with you
His Majesty’s expression of support marks the two nation’s 100-year partnership
Telegraph Reporters 16 January 2026
The King has reiterated Britain’s commitment to Ukraine, telling the war-torn country “we stand with you”.
In a message to mark the anniversary of Britain’s 100-year partnership with Ukraine, His Majesty said: “As we also look ahead to the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of your beloved country – a time of great anguish, I know, for many families across Ukraine and the world – my wife and I continue to keep you all in our heartfelt thoughts and prayers.
“I wish, above all, to convey my profound hope that Ukraine can achieve a just and lasting peace that safeguards its security, sovereignty and prosperity, in a way that Ukrainians deserve.
“We stand with you.”
David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister, has reportedly travelled to Ukraine to discuss the details of future cooperation between the two nations.
The King has publicly supported Ukraine since Russia’s invasion, meeting Ukrainians who have sought sanctuary in the UK at many events, and his recent Christmas Day broadcast featured the choir Songs for Ukraine Chorus.
During September’s state banquet at Windsor Castle, His Majesty emphasised that “we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine”.
The UK-Ukraine partnership, formed of a treaty and a political declaration, aims to bolster military collaboration on maritime security. It will also involve co-operation in health care and tackling disease, as well as agricultural technology and the space industry.
Ties between the two countries will also be strengthened through cultural exchanges and classroom projects.
The King also said in his message: “As we celebrate the first anniversary of the 100-Year Partnership between the United Kingdom and Ukraine, I do pray that the flourishing bonds between our two countries may bring some hope and moral support at this most difficult time.
“Ukraine’s most valiant strength in the face of such appalling hardship and pain is an extraordinary example to the world, and I am constantly impressed by the sheer bravery, courage and resilience shown by the Ukrainian people.”
“Ukraine’s most valiant strength in the face of such appalling hardship and pain is an extraordinary example to the world, and I am constantly impressed by the sheer bravery, courage and resilience shown by the Ukrainian people.”
Very well said Your Majesty.
And may those who seek to act as enablers for the demonic regime of Fuhrer putler crash and burn.
“Intelligence reports revealed a 1:27 kill ratio in the battle for the city, with 27 Russian soldiers lost for each Ukrainian.”
Wow! Awesome!
God willing, this winning ratio will be repeated whenever orcs are coming up against defenders.
This is not only awesome but spectacular, seeing that in Kupiansk, the Ukrainians are on the offensive. Offensives almost always go hand in hand with larger loss ratios.
Vsevolod Kozhemyako I salute you!
Every dead orc is his and Ukraine’s gift to civilised people everywhere.
“In comments made this week, Donald Trump, the US president, asserted that Mr Zelensky – not Putin – is the main obstacle to reaching a peace deal to end the war.”
Let us be clear : Ukraine has a terrible enemy in the most unlikely place.
The sooner this convict is safely ensconced in a secure institution the better.