Smilyansky appealed in court the NBU decision on his suspension

General Director of JSC "Ukrposhta" Ihor Smilyansky filed a lawsuit against the National Bank of Ukraine and demands to cancel the regulator's decision on his non-compliance with the professional suitability requirements.

Smilyansky announced this on September 16 in Telegram. According to him, this week lawyers filed a lawsuit with the Kyiv District Administrative Court.

Smilyansky stated that he considers the NBU decision illegal and biased. He also claims that an approach was applied to him that the regulator did not apply to heads of other banks and financial institutions after serious violations and fines.

Separately, the head of Ukrposhta again linked the actions of the National Bank with the conflict around the plans to create "Ukrposhta Bank". In his opinion, the decision was personal and was connected, in particular, with his public criticism of the NBU leadership. This is Smilyansky's own assertion; the National Bank previously denied such motivation.

Smilyansky clarified that he filed the lawsuit in his own name, and pays for lawyers' services himself - Ukrposhta's funds, according to him, are not spent on the litigation.

Earlier, the NBU recognized Smilyansky as not meeting the professional suitability requirements established for the head of a financial payment service provider. The regulator demanded that the authorized body of Ukrposhta remove him from company management and appoint a new head.

The National Bank explained that administrative proceedings regarding Smilyansky were opened in November 2025 after supervisory measures regarding Ukrposhta in 2023-2026. According to the regulator, systemic violations were recorded in the company's activities, and assessment of professional suitability of managers is a standard part of supervision.

The NBU also emphasized that the decision was supported unanimously by the Qualification Commission of the National Bank and the Committee for Banking Supervision and Regulation, oversight of payment infrastructure. The regulator denied the link of the Smilyansky decision with the creation of a financial inclusion bank.

Smilyansky himself after the NBU decision stated that he would continue to perform the duties of General Director of Ukrposhta in accordance with current legislation. Now he plans to challenge the lawfulness of the regulator's decision in court.

Based on materials: Ihor Smilyansky, National Bank of Ukraine, NBU clarification