Sayenko Kharenko Shortlisted for IFLR Europe Awards 2025 in Two Categories
Sayenko Kharenko has secured a place on the exclusive shortlist for two prestigious categories at the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) Europe Awards 2025, reinforcing the firm’s position at the forefront of legal excellence amidst challenging market conditions.
The firm has been shortlisted for "National Firm of the Year: Ukraine”, and its groundbreaking work on the Ukravtodor-Ukraine bond restructuring has been shortlisted in the "Deal of the Year: Debt and Equity-linked” category.
Reshaping Ukraine’s Financial Landscape Through Legal Innovation
Sayenko Kharenko acted as Ukrainian legal counsel to the ad hoc committee of bondholders in successfully restructuring Ukraine’s sovereign Eurobonds and sovereign-guaranteed Eurobonds issued by Ukravtodor.
The high-stakes USD 24 billion deal engineered the exchange of existing notes into eight new series of Step Up Notes with an aggregate principal amount of USD 15.2 billion. This financial architecture delivered immediate, tangible business impact. According to the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, the restructuring slashes immediate debt servicing payments by an extraordinary 93%, delivering USD 11.4 billion in savings over three years and reducing debt servicing costs through 2033 by approximately 77%.
Legal Strategy That Drives Business Performance
Being shortlisted in two categories highlights Sayenko Kharenko’s evolving approach to client service, which increasingly integrates business advisory alongside traditional legal counsel. Today’s business environment demands more than technical legal expertise — it requires advisors who understand the broader commercial landscape and can anticipate how legal decisions impact business strategy. Both shortlists reflect the firm’s commitment to being true business partners to clients, particularly when the stakes are highest.
About the IFLR Europe Awards
The IFLR Europe Awards are among the most prestigious recognitions in the legal industry. They celebrate legal innovation in cross-border transactions, highlighting transactions that break new legal ground and set important market precedents. Winners are selected based on research from IFLR’s team of dedicated journalists. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in London.