Dr. Oleg Maltsev’s story is not just the tale of a Ukrainian scientist. It’s the story of a man whose groundbreaking research and independent spirit have faced relentless, coordinated attacks. Dr. Maltsev isn’t the type of scientist we typically envision. His approach to research is unconventional, and his colleagues have come to regard him as a phenomenon whose dedication to knowledge transcends the standard practices of scientific inquiry. Dr. Maltsev has never involved himself in politics, nor has he pursued any political ambitions. His passion lies in science and, more importantly, in how it can be integrated into everyday life to solve real-world problems.
Dr. Maltsev’s story is filled with strange and unsettling “non-random coincidences.” From sudden investigations to public discrediting and a well-timed arrest just after announcing the completion of his book on war crimes, the sequence of events raises serious questions. The main question is: Are these just random occurrences, or is there something more calculated behind them? Let us examine the case of Dr. Oleg Maltsev in detail, mapping out the sequence of events in chronological order.
The Calm Before the Storm: A Study Interrupted
In late 2021 and early 2022, Dr. Oleg Maltsev set out on an ambitious journey to explore the intricacies of how the human mind works through a large-scale research project. This groundbreaking study was poised to yield practical insights that could help people handle complex tasks more effectively and improve their ability to work in a multitasking mode. His goal was to produce ten works in total: five volumes of monographs on the phenomena of the mind and five books on skeet shooting.
Then, the war broke out in Ukraine. As the conflict unfolded, it became clear that many people were struggling to cope with the relentless stress and constant unpredictability of war. People found it difficult to adapt to new realities, especially when it came to making rational decisions and handling various tasks, underscoring the critical importance of Maltsev’s work. His research suddenly took on a new urgency, as it became evident that understanding how the mind operates under extreme conditions wasn’t just an academic exercise—it was a matter of survival.
But before the research could reach its full potential, everything was abruptly cut short. Maltsev’s arrest interrupted this far-reaching project, leaving the fate of his research uncertain.
Did Dr. Maltsev Really Make Such a Great Scientific Contribution?
For years, certain tabloids have downplayed Dr. Oleg Maltsev’s contributions to science, painting him as a marginal figure. Yet, unlike many others who have taken to social media or the TV to tout their achievements, especially during the war, Maltsev has remained largely silent. He doesn’t appear on TV or radio to trumpet his work. Instead, he focuses on creating tangible results and offering them to society without asking for anything in return.
But make no mistake—his contributions are significant. Let’s look at the facts.
In July 2022, the European Academy of Sciences of Ukraine organized an international interdisciplinary conference titled “Unknown Wars,” which brought global attention to the issue of war and its broader implications. Thanks to the Academy’s efforts, articles by seven Ukrainian scientists were selected for publication in a special issue titled “War in Ukraine” in the prestigious journal American Behavioral Scientist. For any academic, being published in such a journal is akin to an athlete winning Olympic gold.
Among the contributors was Dr. Maltsev, whose articles tackled some of the most pressing issues facing Ukraine. In “Does Ukraine Have the Right to be an EU Member?” Maltsev offered a resounding “yes,” backed by two scientific expeditions that demonstrated Ukraine’s deep historical, economic, and cultural ties to Europe. Other articles of his, such as “War Crimes: Their Nature and Parameters” and “The Impact of Russian Military Aggression on the Psychological Health of Ukrainian Youth,” addressed critical aspects of the ongoing conflict.
Maltsev’s global engagement didn’t stop there. His constant collaboration with foreign colleagues and his active participation in discussions about the war and its geopolitical consequences led to another major accomplishment—the creation of a special issue of American Behavioral Scientist titled “Terrorism Through a Different Lens.” Co-authored with international terrorism expert Harvey Kushner, Maltsev’s introduction set the stage for two of his own articles, “Countering Terrorism: Sociopsychological and Geopolitical Aspects” and “Psychological Underpinnings of Terror Awareness: A Comprehensive Dive into Ukrainians’ Perception of Terrorist Threats Amidst War Tensions.”
Beyond his academic work, Maltsev has been tackling the challenge of developing a new shooting discipline. His research highlighted the need for a discipline rooted in military methods, leading to the creation of the UTS system. Designed to address civilian survival in war, urban combat, and extreme conditions, UTS offers a comprehensive and practical approach to the legitimate use of firearms. It equips civilians with the skills needed to navigate prolonged, high-stress situations—an invaluable resource in today’s world.
As 2023 came to a close, Maltsev’s influence on the academic world continued to grow. An international conference titled “Local and Global Consequences of the War in Ukraine,” which took place on June 6-7, 2024, in Prague, brought together 34 scholars from 10 countries, including the USA, Italy, and Germany. Organized by institutions such as the Institute of Sociological Studies of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University, the Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, and the European Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, this event aimed to strengthen the knowledge base on the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine in both local and global contexts, to report on how the world is radically changing in response to the war, and to discuss and communicate this enhanced knowledge to the wider public—yet another testament to the work of Maltsev and his colleagues.
The Path of Persecution: A Step-by-Step Attack on Dr. Maltsev
In December 2023, while Dr. Oleg Maltsev was on an official scientific expedition abroad, troubling news reached him through an anonymous message. An anonymous source said that the Department of Military Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) had begun an investigation into Dr. Maltsev. The warning came to his colleague, lawyer Olga Panchenko, with a suggestion that these “problems” could be resolved by greasing the right palms. The identity of the sender is still unknown. Maltsev, however, had the option to stay abroad and continue his work unimpeded. Despite the clear risks, he made the decision to return to Ukraine.
In February 2024, the first searches were conducted in Maltsev’s home. Following the searches, photographic equipment worth more than 10,000 euros went missing.
The situation quickly worsened. By March 2024, conditions for any scientific work had become impossible, with training and research at the firing range canceled. Even his participation in an international conference was disrupted. Still, with the help of determined organizers, Maltsev was able to present his research remotely, sharing his insights with an audience of scientists from 34 countries.
By August 2024, a wave of targeted attacks in the media had begun to emerge, growing in intensity and reaching a peak in late September. The campaign was strategic and relentless, employing typical smear tactics like clickbait headlines, personal demonization, unfounded accusations, and cognitive distortions—all characteristic of a coordinated effort to tarnish reputation.
On September 12, 2024, Maltsev’s situation took a dramatic turn when he was arrested on charges widely viewed as politically motivated. Within minutes of the SBU’s official announcement, confidential details about the detainees were publicly leaked, violating both the secrecy of the pre-trial investigation and Ukraine’s constitutional guarantee of the presumption of innocence. Following this breach, dubious websites picked up the story, spreading sensationalized accusations across hundreds of aggregator sites. These platforms, known for publishing damaging content for a fee, turned their sights on Maltsev, amplifying the smear campaign through an echo chamber of slander.
Can You Still Call It Coincidence?
Examining the timeline of events surrounding Dr. Oleg Maltsev reveals a series of strikingly coordinated incidents, each seemingly aimed at obstructing his scientific pursuits and undermining his reputation. A closer look at the chronology of Dr. Maltsev’s recent activities, alongside the actions taken against him, suggests a pattern that far exceeds the threshold of chance. The sequence of these incidents points to a deliberate effort to curtail Maltsev’s work and tarnish his professional standing. Here’s a breakdown of these “coincidences” and how each appears carefully calibrated to undermine his contributions.
In 2023, Dr. Maltsev embarked on a significant scientific project: the development of a new shooting discipline. He traveled to Italy with his team to collaborate with Olympic champion Ennio Falco and Sicilian national team coach Giuseppe Fruscione. This partnership was part of Maltsev’s larger vision: building an international-standard shooting range in Ukraine’s Odesa region. If realized, this project could elevate Odesa as a hub for international shooting competitions. Ennio Falco was slated to collaborate on the project, further underscoring the scale and potential impact of this endeavor.
Yet, as the year drew to a close, an anonymous tip informed Dr. Maltsev that he had “problems” that could be “solved” through a bribe. Soon after, in early 2024, a search was conducted at Maltsev’s home, resulting in the seizure of 64 firearms used for training at the range, despite all items being legally purchased, properly registered, and integral to his research. The swift escalation from anonymous letter to asset seizure suggests more than mere coincidence.
The repercussions of the search did not end with the seizure of property. The physical toll on Dr. Maltsev was severe—he was hospitalized and placed in intensive care following the raid, and he has since relied on a wheelchair for mobility.
Public statements from the authorities further complicated matters, with claims that over 70 weapons with telescopic sights had been confiscated. In reality, not all of the confiscated weapons had optical sights, and the correct number was 64. This narrative starkly contrasted with the facts, as most of the firearms were smoothbore and specifically used for skeet shooting in the Olympic discipline. Despite these discrepancies, no media outlet followed up to clarify the inaccuracies, leaving the public with a distorted version of events. The lack of correction in the press implies a broader indifference to the truth, allowing misperceptions to persist without challenge.
Maltsev’s team of lawyers fought back and obtained a ruling from the Court of Appeal mandating the return of the seized firearms. However, the court’s decision was never implemented. Instead, the execution of the ruling was repeatedly delayed, violating all standard procedural norms. Those responsible for returning the weapons disregarded the lawful process, dragging their feet at every opportunity. Rather than complying with the court’s decision, authorities initiated a new criminal case under a politically motivated charge—one that allowed them to seize the very same firearms once again. The circular logic of this legal maneuvering serves only to reinforce the impression that the system is deliberately aligned against Maltsev.
Also, the impact on Maltsev’s academic work extended beyond the physical seizure of research equipment. Maltsev’s personal attendance at the 2024 conference was disrupted; an opportunity to engage with international scholars was ultimately lost. This missed opportunity marks yet another instance of his work being curtailed by external forces, undercutting his ability to share findings and collaborate on global issues.
In July 2024, Dr. Maltsev announced the upcoming U.S. release of his new book, “Strike in the Deadliest Manner Possible: Talking About War Crimes”, an exploration of war crimes to be published in English. The timing of what followed raises significant concerns. Just eight weeks after the book’s announcement, Maltsev was arrested on politically charged accusations, including allegations of forming a paramilitary group and collaborating with Russian security agencies. His arrest—shortly after publicly declaring a new publication on politically sensitive material—suggests more than random bad luck. It appears that his work on critical and potentially contentious topics may have become an underlying motive for these escalating pressures.
Adding to the coordinated nature of these actions, the arrest was accompanied by intense pressure on his staff members, sending a clear message to those around him: association with Maltsev could come at a high cost. This move not only isolated Maltsev but also aimed to sever his support network, further limiting his ability to continue his scientific pursuits.
When placed side by side, the events that have transpired over the past two years form a sequence that is difficult to dismiss as coincidental. Each step—anonymous letter, property seizures under questionable pretenses, misinformation campaigns, disrupted academic involvement, politically charged arrests—aligns to systematically dismantle Dr. Maltsev’s scientific credibility and halt his work.
The frequency, intensity, and specific focus on Maltsev’s research activities suggest a strategy aimed at curbing his influence and dissuading those around him from offering continued support. Viewed as a whole, these incidents represent more than an unfortunate sequence; they point to a calculated attempt to silence a scientist whose work appears to challenge the comfort zones of powerful entities. The question is no longer whether there is a connection behind these events, but rather why Dr. Maltsev’s work has become such a target in the first place.