Igor Komarov Allegedly Kidnapped in Bali: Ukraine Cannot Confirm or Deny, $10 Million Ransom Reported

Ukraine has stated that it cannot confirm or deny reports regarding Igor Komarov, the son of a Ukrainian crime boss, allegedly being kidnapped in Bali, a diplomat confirmed on Monday, February 24. Meanwhile, Indonesian authorities have launched a large-scale security operation on the island following claims that Komarov was abducted for a USD 10 million ransom.

The 28-year-old was reportedly taken in South Kuta on Saturday evening, February 21, while vacationing with his girlfriend, social media influencer Yeva Mishalova. A graphic video circulating on X shows Komarov with visible injuries, claiming that his captors are demanding the enormous sum as repayment for funds allegedly stolen by his father’s criminal network in Dnipro.

Ukraine Responds Cautiously

The Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Jakarta has responded cautiously to the viral reports. Yevhenia Shynkarenko, Ukraine’s Chargé d’Affaires, told the Jakarta Globe: “We can neither confirm nor deny the kidnapping,” explaining that the embassy has received no official notification from Indonesian authorities nor any requests for assistance from Komarov’s family. The lack of formal communication makes it difficult to verify the authenticity of the ransom demand or Komarov’s current condition.

The Viral Ransom Video

The situation escalated after a three-minute video surfaced online, showing Komarov with a bandaged arm and bruised face. In the footage, he claims that the kidnappers have severed some of his fingers and threatens that his family will suffer further harm if the $10 million ransom is not paid.

In a secondary clip, Komarov reportedly admits to operating fraudulent call centers targeting Russian citizens. The kidnappers claim that the ransom is not extortion, but a “recovery” of money they allege was stolen through these scams.

Police Operation in Bali

In response, Bali Police have intensified patrols and inspections across the Sarbagita metropolitan area. On Monday night, 35 officers were deployed to a key border point in Gianyar, inspecting over 170 vehicles in a two-hour operation. Target areas include South Kuta, Denpasar, and Gianyar borders. Commissioner I Nyoman Sukadana stated the sweep aims to “narrow the movement of potential perpetrators” while ensuring regional security. No suspects or vehicles linked to the abduction have been identified as of February 24.

Authorities are also examining whether the couple’s social media activity may have inadvertently facilitated the abduction. Yeva Mishalova, who has a large Instagram following, had been sharing photos of their Valentine’s Day celebrations in Bali, including tagged locations, potentially allowing kidnappers to track their movements.

Background

Igor Komarov is reportedly the son of Alexander Petrovsky, a Dnipro-based figure known as “Narik,” associated with organized crime in Ukraine. The reported USD 10 million ransom suggests this incident may be connected to disputes within Eastern European criminal networks spilling over into the Indonesian tourism hub.

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to rely on verified updates and to avoid spreading unconfirmed reports circulating on social media.