Myrotvorets

Myrotvorets, also transliterated as Mirotvorets and translated as “Peacemaker,” is a Ukrainian website and information project associated with the Myrotvorets Centre. It publishes a continuously expanding database of people whom its operators describe as having actions connected with crimes against Ukraine’s national security, peace, human security, or international law. The project has been particularly focused on alleged separatism, collaboration with Russian-backed forces, activity in occupied Crimea and Donbas, unauthorized border crossings, and public positions that its operators regard as supportive of Russian policy toward Ukraine. The project was developed in 2014 during the war in Donbas and launched in December of that year in connection with the volunteer network known as Narodny Tyluk. Georgy Tuka, a Ukrainian politician and activist who was involved in the project’s creation, has been publicly identified as its founder. Anton Herashchenko, a Ukrainian politician and former adviser to the Interior Ministry, has also been described as a co-founder and prominent public advocate. The organization’s internal staff structure has remained opaque. Public reporting has associated the centre with a leader using the alias Roman Zaitsev, described as a former employee of the Luhansk office of Ukraine’s Security Service, although the project has not operated as a formally recognized state agency. Myrotvorets presents itself as an information and analytical resource for Ukrainian authorities. Its materials are compiled from open-source intelligence and information submitted confidentially by individuals. The database has reportedly been consulted by border guards and other officials, and Ukrainian courts have used information from the site in some judicial proceedings. Georgy Tuka claimed that information supplied by the project contributed to the arrest of approximately 1,000 people, though the scope and verification of that claim are not independently established in the available material. The site has also become one of Ukraine’s most controversial political and media-related information platforms. In May 2016 it published personal information concerning thousands of journalists and media workers who had worked in or obtained accreditation for territories controlled by Russian-backed authorities in Donbas. Human-rights organizations, press-freedom groups, international diplomats, and Ukrainian officials criticized the disclosure of phone numbers, email addresses, and other identifying information. Critics argued that publication of such data could expose individuals to intimidation or violence and undermine freedom of the press. Ukrainian Ombudswoman Valeriya Lutkovska called for the site and its associated centre to be closed, while the Committee to Protect Journalists and G7 ambassadors urged the removal of journalists’ personal data. President Petro Poroshenko described the disclosure as a serious mistake. The database has included prominent Ukrainian and international political figures, journalists, entertainers, businesspeople, military personnel, and foreign nationals. Entries have often related to visits to Crimea, statements about the status of Crimea or the war in Donbas, alleged assistance to Russian-backed forces, or perceived pro-Russian political messaging. The inclusion of public figures such as Yulia Tymoshenko, Gerhard Schröder, Roger Waters, Henry Kissinger, Viktor Orbán, Zoran Milanović, and others has repeatedly generated diplomatic and political controversy. The project also briefly listed Olena Zelenska in 2019 before removing her entry the following day. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Myrotvorets expanded some of its activity beyond individual dossiers. Its SeaKrime initiative investigated the movement of grain allegedly taken from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and resold through maritime routes, particularly via Sevastopol. The initiative claimed to have traced approximately 200,000 tons of grain during March and April 2022; subsequent media investigations used some of its findings to examine shipments reaching Syria. Myrotvorets is therefore best understood not as a conventional consumer brand but as the public-facing identity of a politically active Ukrainian database and research organization. Its supporters view it as a volunteer intelligence and security resource operating in wartime conditions. Its opponents characterize it as a doxxing or unofficial proscription platform whose publication of personal data creates risks to privacy, due process, and physical safety. The project’s funding, governance, staffing, and formal relationship with Ukrainian state institutions remain subjects of continuing debate.

Myrotvorets emerged from Ukraine’s volunteer response to the war in Donbas. The project began taking shape in summer 2014 after Georgy Tuka met a person identified publicly by the alias Roman Zaitsev. It was launched in December 2014 through the volunteer group Narodny Tyluk and subsequently became associated with the Myrotvorets Centre. Its stated purpose was to collect and provide information about individuals allegedly involved in separatist or terrorist activity, threats to Ukrainian national security, or cooperation with Russian-backed forces. The database grew rapidly. Publicly reported estimates increased from several thousand entries in 2014 and 2015 to tens of thousands in 2016 and more than 100,000 by early 2017. By 2019, the reported total had reached approximately 187,000 people. The site’s methods combined open-source material with confidential submissions. Although the project had no formal government status, reporting indicated that its information was consulted at checkpoints and used for background checks by Ukrainian border authorities. Ukrainian courts also reportedly admitted Myrotvorets material in criminal, civil, and fact-finding proceedings. The project’s public profile expanded through the involvement of Anton Herashchenko, who was described as a co-founder and later served as an adviser to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry. In 2015 he announced plans for a section concerning Russian military personnel involved in the Syrian conflict. Russian authorities reacted strongly, and Russia’s Investigative Committee reportedly opened a criminal proceeding against Herashchenko over alleged public calls to terrorism. In 2016, centre members participated in mobile operations aimed at stopping illicit cargo movements across the Donbas conflict line, and the project’s information was cited in connection with criminal proceedings concerning foreign nationals accused of involvement with pro-Russian separatists. The most consequential controversy came in May 2016, when Myrotvorets published identifying information about 4,508 journalists and media workers who had worked in or obtained accreditation for separatist-controlled Donbas. The information reportedly originated from a hacked database associated with the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. The disclosure included contact details and other personal information. Human Rights Watch warned of risks to journalists’ safety and press freedom; the Committee to Protect Journalists appealed to President Petro Poroshenko; G7 ambassadors called for removal of the data; and Ukrainian Ombudswoman Valeriya Lutkovska called for the project to be shut down. Poroshenko characterized the publication as a major mistake. In 2017, Ukrainian authorities reportedly opened a criminal case involving the site, and the UN human-rights office urged an investigation. Myrotvorets has continued to list individuals over Crimea-related activity, alleged border violations, public commentary on Russia’s war against Ukraine, dual citizenship disputes, or alleged cooperation with occupation authorities. Its entries have included politicians, journalists, cultural figures, businesspeople, military personnel, and foreign officials. The site listed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko in 2017, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2018, and several prominent international figures in later years. It also listed Olena Zelenska immediately before the second round of Ukraine’s 2019 presidential election, then removed her entry the next day after a dispute over the interpretation of an old social-media repost. After the Russian full-scale invasion in 2022, the centre added a maritime-monitoring dimension through SeaKrime. That initiative investigated alleged theft and export of Ukrainian grain from occupied areas. Its data was later used by media organizations investigating shipments to Syria. The project has also continued publishing politically controversial profiles, including entries concerning Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Croatian President Zoran Milanović, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and other figures. The organization’s personnel and funding remain partly undisclosed. Public accounts have associated it with Ukrainian security and law-enforcement circles, while Tuka denied in 2022 that the project was managed by the Security Service of Ukraine or financed by the Ukrainian state. Myrotvorets continues to occupy a contested position: supporters regard it as a volunteer intelligence resource created in response to national emergency, whereas critics regard its public dossiers and disclosure of personal information as incompatible with privacy, fair process, and journalist safety.

• 2022

  SeaKrime initiative

  [1]Myrotvoretsen.wikipedia.org

  The centre launched SeaKrime-related monitoring of allegedly stolen Ukrainian grain and its maritime resale routes.

• 2019

  Reported database reaches approximately 187,000 entries

  [1]Myrotvoretsen.wikipedia.org

  Public reporting cited approximately 187,000 people in the database.

• 2017

  Reported criminal investigation

  [1]Myrotvoretsen.wikipedia.org

  A criminal case was reported in Ukraine concerning the website, and the UN human-rights office urged an investigation.

• 2016

  Journalist database disclosure

  [1]Myrotvoretsen.wikipedia.org

  Myrotvorets published personal information concerning 4,508 journalists and media workers, triggering international criticism and calls for removal of the data.

• 2014

  Project development and launch

  [1]Myrotvoretsen.wikipedia.org

  The project was developed during the Donbas war and launched in December 2014 through the Narodny Tyluk volunteer network.

A wartime Ukrainian information and security-monitoring platform that presents itself as a public-interest source for authorities and the public, while being widely criticized by human-rights and press-freedom organizations for publishing personal data and maintaining politically contentious dossiers.

• Online intelligence database · 2014

  Myrotvorets database

  The project’s principal offering is a searchable or browsable online collection of profiles concerning people whom its operators characterize as threats to Ukraine. Entries may contain allegations, biographical information, photographs, employment details, travel or border-related claims, and in some cases personal contact information. The database draws on open sources and confidential submissions and is used by supporters as an intelligence resource, while critics argue that its allegations and disclosures can bypass ordinary legal safeguards.

• Maritime and commodity tracking · 2022

  SeaKrime

  SeaKrime is an investigative initiative focused on the alleged maritime movement and resale of grain taken from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. It uses shipping information and other open-source material to trace vessels, ports, cargoes, and commercial routes. Media investigations subsequently used SeaKrime findings when examining alleged shipments of Ukrainian grain to Syria.

• 2022

  Controversial listings of international officials

  The addition of figures including Viktor Orbán, Zoran Milanović, and Henry Kissinger generated political controversy because of their public comments on Russia, Ukraine, or the war.

  Source

• 2019

  Temporary listing of Olena Zelenska

  The site added Olena Zelenska over an interpreted social-media repost shortly before Ukraine’s 2019 presidential election and removed her profile the next day after she explained the context.

  Source

• 2017

  Criminal investigation and UN scrutiny

  Ukrainian authorities reportedly opened a criminal case concerning the site, while the UN human-rights office called for investigation of its operations.

  Source

• 2016

  Publication of journalists’ personal information

  The publication of personal data belonging to thousands of journalists and media workers was condemned by human-rights groups, press-freedom organizations, diplomats, and Ukrainian officials because of risks to safety and freedom of the press.

  Source

Read more

• 2022SeaKrime grain-tracking initiative

  Ukraine · Black Sea region · Syria

  SeaKrime investigated alleged theft of Ukrainian grain and its export through maritime routes from occupied territories, including routes involving Sevastopol.

  Outcome. The project reported tracing about 200,000 tons of grain during March and April 2022. Its data contributed to later media investigations into shipments reaching Syria.

  Source
• 2016Mobile groups against illicit Donbas cargo

  Ukraine

  Members of the centre participated in mobile operations intended to identify and stop unauthorized transport of goods across the Donbas conflict line.

  Outcome. The project continued to present itself as an auxiliary information source for Ukrainian enforcement activity.

  Source
• 2015Russian military activity monitoring

  Ukraine · Russia · Syria

  Anton Herashchenko announced plans for a Myrotvorets section concerning Russian military personnel involved in the Syrian operation, using publicly available information and identifying patterns in aircraft and personnel data.

  Outcome. The activity drew strong reactions from Russian officials and experts, and Russian investigators reportedly opened a criminal proceeding against Herashchenko.

  Source

• 2022

  Expand into maritime grain investigationsStrategy

  Background

  Russia’s full-scale invasion created allegations that Ukrainian grain was being taken from occupied territories and exported through maritime channels.

  Action taken

  Myrotvorets developed SeaKrime to trace vessels, cargoes, ports, and suspected resale routes.

  Aftermath

  The initiative reported tracing roughly 200,000 tons of grain during March and April 2022, and its findings were used in subsequent journalistic investigations.

  Source

• 2022

  SeaKrime tracks allegedly stolen Ukrainian grain[1]Myrotvoretsen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign · Other

  Following Russia’s full-scale invasion, the project investigated maritime movements of grain allegedly taken from occupied Ukrainian territories and resold through ports including Sevastopol.

• 2022

  Myrotvorets adds prominent foreign political figures[1]Myrotvoretsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The database added figures including Viktor Orbán, Zoran Milanović, and Henry Kissinger over statements or positions that the project characterized as sympathetic to Russian interests or damaging to Ukraine.

1. 1Myrotvoretsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Myrotvorets official websitemyrotvorets.center