# Ukrainian Chess Federation blasts Podolyak over FIDE vice presidency alongside Russian ex-minister

https://mins.news/en/item/77418

- The Kyiv Independent, 2026-09-28 16:52 UTC
- Sports
- Original: https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-chess-federation-blasts-presidential-aide-over-accepting-fide-position-alongside-a-russian-urges-sbu-probe/

> The Ukrainian Chess Federation protested Mykhailo Podolyak’s acceptance of a FIDE vice presidency alongside former Russian sports minister Pavel Kolobkov. It called the move a betrayal of Ukraine’s national interests, said Podolyak was not authorized to represent Ukraine and urged the SBU to investigate. The federation also questioned Kolobkov’s eligibility while Russia’s FIDE membership is suspended.

## Related coverage

- [Ex-Russian sports minister Kolobkov elected FIDE vice-president](https://mins.news/en/item/75558) — TASS, 2026-09-26