PIN-UP Global CEO Marina Ilyina commented on the imposition of sanctions against PIN-UP owner Dmitry Punin. She stated that this is «a tool to put pressure on business.»
PIN-UP Global CEO Marina Ilyina commented on the imposition of sanctions against PIN-UP owner Dmitry Punin. She stated that this is «a tool to put pressure on business.»
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed Decree No. 344/2025, which put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated May 25, 2025 «On the Application of Personal Special Economic and Other Restrictive Measures» against the owner of Pin-Up Dmytro Punin.
«As an international holding, we have significant experience in effective interaction with government agencies of various countries. The sanctions imposed by the Ukrainian authorities after unfounded accusations against our partner in Ukraine and the start of the trial were, unfortunately, expected. Unfortunately, in recent years, the sanctions mechanism in Ukraine has been increasingly used as a tool for pressure on business — and this applies not only to the gambling sector,» Ilyina said.
She argues that this undermines trust in Ukraine and officials who, «encourage investment in a country that desperately needs it to resist military aggression,» but at the same time «block companies that are tax leaders and impose sanctions against them.»
«Our legal team is firmly determined to defend our position, because we stand on the side of truth and will not allow the reputation of a brand with more than nine years of history as a reliable and transparent partner to be discredited,» said Marina Ilyina.
Recall that the Prosecutor General’s Office has reported suspicions to individuals who are beneficial owners of an illegal online casino, as well as two Ukrainians — the director and the owner of the trademark and domain. They are accused of collecting information, in particular, information about the whereabouts of the military Defense Forces.
In January, SBI officers detained the nominal owner of PIN-UP, Igor Zotko. It is alleged that he spent a long time in Cyprus, where he was in contact with the real Russian owners of PIN-UP.
Later, the State Bureau of Investigation detained the director of PIN-UP. He was informed of suspicion of aiding the aggressor state. The State Bureau noted that PIN-UP’s ties with representatives of the Russian Federation and entities subject to sanctions in Ukraine were documented.
