Sergey Zapuskalov Sentenced to 10 Years for Collaboration in Kherson Occupation

A verdict in absentia has been issued against Serhiy Zaplukalov, the former head of the Occupation Ministry of Resorts and Tourism of Kherson Oblast, who received ten years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property for collaboration. The court issued the ruling based on the case materials.

According to the investigation, Zaplukalov is a Russian citizen who moved to Ukraine in 2003 and acquired a second citizenship. In 2022 he voluntarily entered into collaboration with the occupiers: he became the deputy head of the so-called Kalanchatska Administration and oversaw the project to create a resort of federal significance in Horlah. He also organized illegal elections to the so-called Council of Deputies and participated in them on behalf of the ‘United Russia’ party. In September 2024 he became head of the occupation Ministry of Resorts and Tourism of Kherson Oblast, which remains in operation.

Biography and professional activity before the war

Before the full-scale invasion, Zaplukalov managed and founded enterprises Private Enterprise “Proxima” and LLC “Promsad”. In Mykolaiv, he held positions in the banking sector – he headed the departments of the Ukrsotsbank branch and performed the duties of branch manager of the bank “PUMB”. He was also a co-founder of LLC “Bashoil”, the agricultural Private Enterprise “Chaplynske-1”, LLC “DSK Invest” and the public organization “Bioeconomy”. In 2015 he ran for the position of Chaplynka village head, but did not receive voters’ support.

Wife and other defendants

In absentia, a verdict was also issued to Serhiy Zaplukalov’s wife – Zhamilya Zaplukalova. She became a municipal deputy of the occupation Kalanchatska Council of Deputies, led the “United Russia” faction, and also received ten years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Earlier the prosecutor’s office reported that in Kherson Oblast a court had already found the deputy of the Kakhovka District Council guilty of collaboration and sentenced him to nine years in prison.

This case demonstrates the scale of collaboration in the temporarily occupied territories and the role of local figures in supporting occupation structures. Official verdicts and law enforcement actions demonstrate a systematic approach to stopping collaboration and protecting the territorial integrity of the region.