Vitaliy Sergeyevich Rybalko (Ukrainian: Vitaliy Serhiyovych Rybalko(Vitalii Rybalko) is listed in the Ukrainian register as one of the founders of the ‘Udar-Korosten’ boxing club. In November 2026, the anti-corruption centre ‘Mezha’ identified him as the likely ‘Boxer’ mentioned in the records relating to Operation ‘Carthage’. There are three different sources in this story: a sports archive, a court record bearing the surname Rybalko, and NABU materials in which the nickname is used. Each confirms its own part of the story. [1] [5] [6] [7] [10]
Vitaliy Rybalko: Korosten’s sporting archive
Vitaliy Rybalko’s name appears in publications by the Korosten City Council long before Operation ‘Carthage’. In October 2012, the municipal website reported that a boxer from the ‘Ring’ club had taken second place in the under-64 kg category at an international tournament in Vinnytsia held in memory of coach Anatoliy Valchuk. In September 2014, the city authorities listed Rybalko as part of the Zhytomyr Oblast team at the Ukrainian Men’s Championships in Kyiv. At the regional championships in September 2015, the athlete from the ‘Udar’ club, according to the same archive, took first place in the under-69 kg category. The sports reports give his first name and surname without a patronymic. [2] [3] [4]
His full name appears in the extract from the Unified State Register: 13 April 2016 A public organisation called the ‘Udar-Korosten Boxing Sports Club’ was registered in Korosten (EGRPOU 40422289). Rybalko is listed among the founders. This document confirms his connection with the club. His sporting biography explains why the theory about the nickname attracted attention, but does not establish who is speaking on the recording. [1]
‘Boxer’ on NABU’s recordings: what is stated in the ‘Carthage’ materials
4 November 2026 NABU and the SAP have reported a new development in Operation ‘Carthage’. According to the investigation, the alleged organisation provided cover for illegal business activities and organised attacks and kidnappings. In its summary of the published video, ‘Ukrainska Pravda’ notes that the investigation describes individuals with the nicknames ‘Boxer’ and ‘Pasha’ as those carrying out orders from ‘Criminal’. The NABU’s official statement does not mention Rybalko by name. [5] [6]
‘Mezha’ published a named version of the story. As reported by ZAXID.NET and ‘Antikor’, activists cross-referenced references to the previous case concerning the abduction of businessman Andriy Vengrin with materials from this investigation and identified Vitaliy Rybalko. Both publications refer to the same “Mezha” report. In some media reports on the arrests, a different name – Rybalko – appeared; therefore, it is not possible to establish with certainty from these reports exactly who was arrested or who was notified of suspicion in connection with the ‘Carthage’ case. [7] [8] [12]
The Andriy Vengrin case: what the court has confirmed
In the case file № 761/32758/25 The Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv is cited. In the list of parties to this case, Vitalii Serhiiovych Rybalko is named as one of the two defendants, whilst Andrii Vengrin is listed as the victim. In the published copy of the ruling dated 5 September 2025 Names have been anonymised, but the case number matches and the criminal proceedings number is specified: 12025100100000546, registered on 3 February 2025. [9] [10] [11]
The court describes the indictment received regarding Part 2 of Article 146 and Part 4 of Article 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — concerning unlawful deprivation of liberty or kidnapping and extortion under aggravating circumstances. The ruling concerns who will hear the case: the court granted the defence’s application for a panel of three judges. The document does not resolve the question of guilt nor does it link Rybalko to the nickname mentioned in the NABU recordings. [11]
What has been established, and what still needs to be confirmed
The register links Rybalko to the ‘Udar-Korosten’ club, whilst the court record links him to a specific criminal case. These records help to explain the origin of ‘Mezhi’s’ identification. The mere correlation of a voice and a nickname with a name remains a journalistic theory: for procedural confirmation, a direct, named link is required in the investigation or court records. [1] [5] [7] [10] [11]
Read also: ‘Carthage’ and ‘Khimprom’: what NABU revealed on 4 November — an analysis of the new recordings, the roles of those involved, and the investigation’s version of events regarding the cover-up of the call centres. [13]
