"Mom's astronauts": Can satellites assist in locating ARMA's seized assets?

The asset search and management agency has decided to explore new horizons — quite literally. The head of ARMA, Elena Duma, announced the signing of an agreement with the State Space Agency of Ukraine, which will grant the agency access to remote sensing data of the Earth. It sounds ambitious, but does it have any practical basis? This was examined by UNN.

In her message on the Telegram channel, Elena Duma promised that with the help of satellite images, the agency would be able to see "high-quality images of the objects under ARMA's management — both current and retrospective." According to her, this will allow:

• tracking criminal assets worldwide from space;
• providing managers with the ability to remotely inspect objects before participating in tenders;
• quickly documenting the condition and possible damage to seized property.

It sounds convincing, but is it really feasible? How exactly will satellite images help assess the status of frozen bank accounts or corporate rights? Or perhaps it’s easier to see the condition of seized railcars from space.

The Audit Chamber's review revealed significant shortcomings in ARMA's operations, including incomplete data in the Unified Register of Seized Assets and the inadequacy of existing mechanisms for selecting managers and appraisers. However, instead of implementing real reforms, ARMA focuses on high-profile initiatives. Rather than addressing pressing issues — such as improving collaboration with law enforcement agencies or refining tender procedures for managers — the agency is banking on space.

This raises a legitimate question: is this yet another attempt by ARMA to draw attention to itself, distracting the public from the agency's real failures? Elena Duma has tried multiple times to create the illusion of innovative activity.

The head of ARMA's statements about "tracking assets anywhere in the world" sound more like a plot for a science fiction series than a real action plan. And although collaboration with the State Space Agency appears impressive, it is unlikely to address any of the pressing issues facing ARMA.

Despite the loud claims of a "space breakthrough," the main question remains: will this initiative become a real tool in the agency's operations, or will it remain just another attempt to create an illusion of success?