Vsevolod Kozhemyako, the Ukrainian grain billionaire, thought about his new job as he played Beethoven’s Für Elise at a grand piano in a dimly lit hotel in Kharkiv, dressed in military fatigues.
“Yes, I am a businessman,” he said. “And now I am the commander of a military unit in Ukraine.”
The light infantry battalion he founded nearly four years ago – the 13th “Khartia” Brigade – was a band of civilian volunteers funded by his fortune and the support of other wealthy donors.
This week, Khartia raised the Ukrainian flag over Kupiansk in a rebuff to Vladimir Putin’s troops and a much-needed morale boost for a country struggling with a shortage of men to defend its cities and energy to keep them warm.
It was a striking symbol that Kiev’s forces are far from succumbing to Russia’s “meat-mincer” tactics and cemented the unit as one of the most effective at Ukraine’s disposal.
Ukraine’s Khartia brigade released a video of them raising the country’s flag over the Kupiansk city council building
“The Kupiansk operation proves that through planning, trained commanders and staff, and quality training of units – all of which we call the Khartia method – you can successfully stop and destroy the enemy,” said Col. Ihor Obolensky.
As Russia continues to make steady gains in a grinding war of attrition along some 600 miles of frontline, it’s a statement Kiev hopes will be heard in Washington.
Mr. Kozhemyako’s unit has transformed from a makeshift dream — a patchy mix of civilians and elite equipment — into a force conducting precision counterattacks on one of the war’s most dangerous fronts.
The success of the charter – dubbed the “billionaire brigade” – appears to have settled weeks of disputed claims by both Russia and Ukraine over control of the strategic city.
The brigade started as a band of civilian volunteers and is now one of the most effective combat units
It came at a time when a show of strength could hardly be more crucial for Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president.
Kupiansk, southeast of Kharkiv, has been a hot spot for Russian “meat mincer” attacks – where Moscow crashes waves of soldiers against Ukrainian defenses – for months.
The city appeared on the verge of being overrun just weeks ago, but in a dramatic twist, Ukrainian troops said they had almost expelled all Russian forces this week, raising the Ukrainian flag over the destroyed remains of the city council building on Monday.
Intelligence reports revealed a kill ratio of 1:27 in the battle for the city, with 27 Russian soldiers lost for every Ukrainian.
b’
‘
Khartia was deployed alongside regular and less experienced units from the area, which came together to form a layered attack and defense pattern.
Ukrainian forces used this approach to absorb Russian attacks while retaining elite troops for decisive strikes.
The units crept quietly across the fall, advancing through the forests around Kupiansk before pushing into the city.
Khartia’s units concentrated on key points in Kupiansk, including railroad crossings, river approaches, and urban choke points, turning streets and industrial areas into concentrated killing zones for advancing Russian forces.
Credit: X / @khatiia_
The brigade’s operations relied on close reconnaissance, mobility and coordination with artillery and drone teams.
Striking suddenly and retreating before the Russian units could stabilize, Khartia inflicted disproportionate casualties and forced the Russian troops into a disorganized retreat.
Their presence also allowed Ukrainian forces to send less experienced brigades into the line without compromising the overall defense.
Behind the victory is Mr. Kozhemyako, a businessman with a distinct personal profile who has captured the attention of the media for his eccentricities.
Before the war, his social media showed a life rich in travel and outdoor activities, from skiing in the Alps to yachting.
The 55-year-old father-of-four mixed his luxury holidays with running, cycling and golf.
In 2017, he ran the New York City Marathon in under three and a half hours.
Mr. Kozhemyako is the founder and CEO of Agrotrade Group, one of the largest grain producers and exporters in Ukraine. Today, however, his attention is fully focused on the war.
Mr. Kozhemyako enjoyed traveling the world for unique experiences such as skiing in the Alps
Khartia was founded by Mr. Kozhemyako in March 2022, shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, and began life as a volunteer unit attached to the 127th Territorial Defense Brigade in Kharkiv.
Operating independently of the Ukrainian military but taking orders from it, Khartia earned the nickname “billionaire’s battalion” for its funding model and the support of its many wealthy donors.
Military tracking sites estimate that Khartia’s workforce is likely in the range of approximately 1,500 to 5,000 personnel.
Technically, the battalion is a territorial defense unit, a necessity of war that will disappear when the war is over.
“As soon as the time of war is over, we are civilians again,” he said, nearly four years ago.
But today, his unit is an elite assault formation of the Ukrainian National Guard, specializing in rapid counterattacks, urban warfare and drone operations, and has distinguished itself as one of the most successful units around Kupiansk.
The raising of the Ukrainian flag over the city marks a significant victory at a time when the demonstration of military power has never been more important on the world stage.
Mr Kozhemyako, seen with a comrade-in-arms, shaped his unit into a force that led precision counter-attacks
In comments this week, US President Donald Trump said Mr Zelensky – not Putin – was the main obstacle to a peace deal ending the war.
“I think he’s ready to make a deal. I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal,” Trump told Reuters.
The president’s comments raised the stakes for Kiev, underscoring the need to demonstrate that Ukrainian forces are capable, effective and making tangible gains on the battlefield.
But for every Ukrainian victory, there is a failure. About 150 miles away from Kupiansk, near the town of Huliaipole, his forces were retreating – demonstrating Kiev’s lack of manpower.
Shortages have forced it to use “firefighter” units like Khartia to respond to Russian pressure, which often leaves other fronts exposed.
The cereal billionaire found a Donald Trump star in his travels
This makes his successes even more important. Demonstrating success on the battlefield makes it much more difficult for Trump to portray Ukraine as stagnant or incapable of changing the course of the conflict, experts say.
“Ukraine’s recent successes around Kupyansk are crucial to show that it will not capitulate as some in the White House believe, and on the contrary, Ukraine is now making ground,” Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a military expert and former tank commander, told The Telegraph.
“Putin is desperate for Trump to pull the plug on Ukraine, and Trump has looked elsewhere, even blaming Zelensky for the lack of progress on the peace plan when almost everyone else is blaming him and the Russian leader.”
In the midst of these high-stakes political debates, it is Mr. Kozhemyako and the soldiers of Khartia who have provided a tangible demonstration of Ukraine’s resilience.