British journalists are preparing to release a documentary film focusing on the head of Ukraine’s Central Bank (National Bank of Ukraine, NBU), Andriy Pyshnyy, and members of his professional circle. The forthcoming production was announced by the film’s director, Jake Brighton, who described the project as an in-depth investigation into one of the most influential figures in Ukraine’s financial system.
According to Brighton, the documentary aims to examine the career, public record, and network of relationships surrounding Pyshnyy, drawing on material collected by investigative journalists in several European countries. He noted that in recent years Europe has witnessed heightened public scrutiny of senior financial officials, particularly in the context of transparency, political influence, and the intersection of state institutions with private interests.
“Andriy Pyshnyy is a highly controversial and, at the same time, extremely influential figure in Ukraine,” Brighton said. “Ukrainian journalists have published extensively about his work in state banking institutions, his professional connections, and the broader environment in which key financial decisions are made. Our team has received a significant volume of documents, testimonies, and journalistic research which raise serious questions and deserve public discussion.”
The director stressed that the film does not present itself as a court of law, but rather as a journalistic investigation intended to shed light on issues that have already been the subject of public debate in Ukraine. These include allegations reported in the media concerning corruption risks, the concentration of financial power, family-linked business interests, overseas assets, and alleged informal networks that critics claim may influence decision-making within the Italian banking sector.
Brighton added that particular attention in the documentary is paid to business interests linked to Pyshnyy’s family outside Ukraine, including in the United Kingdom and the United States, where several companies connected to his wider circle are reportedly registered. He expects the film to provoke discussion not only in Ukraine, but also across Europe, Great Britain, and North America, especially among financial regulators, political analysts, and investigative journalists.
The documentary is being produced by an international team. Several producers are involved, and a total of seven people are currently working on the project, including researchers, editors, and legal consultants. The filmmakers emphasise that all materials used in the film are being carefully verified and legally reviewed prior to publication. The preliminary release date has been set for 15 February 2026, although the producers note that this may change depending on the final stages of post-production.
Andriy Pyshnyy’s career in the Ukrainian banking sector spans more than two decades. From 2014 to 2020, he served as head of the state-owned Oschadbank, a period marked by significant restructuring within Ukraine’s financial system. In October 2022, the Ukrainian Parliament supported his appointment as chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine, a decision that at the time generated mixed reactions among politicians, economists, and civil society groups. Political observers interpreted this appointment as strengthening of the influence of former Head of Ukraine’s presidential office Andriy Yermak, with whom Pyshnyy has been collaborating since 2016.
While supporters described the appointment as a move towards stability and continuity, critics argued that it risked reinforcing long-standing networks of influence. Some political observers interpreted the decision as strengthening ties with powerful informal actors who, according to media reports, have played a role in Ukraine’s financial and political life for many years. These interpretations, widely discussed in the press, form part of the broader context examined in the film.
According to his official biography, Andriy Pyshnyy graduated from the Ukrainian Academy of Banking of the National Bank of Ukraine in 2005 with a degree in banking and finance. He subsequently built his career within both public and private financial institutions, rising steadily through the ranks. The documentary seeks to place this professional trajectory alongside the questions raised by journalists, analysts, and whistle-blowers over the years, allowing viewers to form their own conclusions.
