---
title: "\"These people appropriated our money and networks\": Schmalgauzen announce conflict with management"
description: "Schmalgauzen musicians announced a split with their producer and director, accusing them of appropriating funds, social media, and brand rights."
date: 2026-10-04T15:16:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/schmalgauzen-announce-conflict-with-management
tags: [schmalgauzen, ukrainian-music, management-conflict, show-business]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# "These people appropriated our money and networks": Schmalgauzen announce conflict with management

![Members of the musical project Schmalgauzen performing on stage](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/04/schmalgauzen-zayavili-o-konflikte-s-menedzhmentom/schmalgauzen-zayavili-o-konflikte-s-menedzhmentom-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Schmalgauzen leaders announced the end of cooperation with producer Valentyn Belokon and director Andriy Shyrko
- Artists accused former management of appropriating money, social media, and streaming platforms
- The band's trademark was registered to a third party without the musicians' knowledge
- The parties transferred the dispute to the legal plane, also addressing refunds for the cancelled European tour

The popular musical project Schmalgauzen has faced a severe internal crisis that has escalated into an open public conflict. Band leaders Vlad Michalchuk and Mykhailo Matiukhin have officially announced the complete termination of cooperation with producer Valentyn Belokon and director Andriy Shyrko, accusing former partners of asset seizure and financial malpractice. According to the artists, the rupture of working relations was accompanied by a loss of control over key digital tools of the group, including official social media pages and streaming platform accounts. ()

### Background and core of the conflict

In their five-minute video address, recorded in their characteristic theatrical aesthetics, the musicians openly stated that the team could not withstand the test of power and money. The project members emphasized that the former management appropriated not only their virtual networks and funds, but also blocked any healthy communication. The situation was aggravated by the fact that the Schmalgauzen trademark was registered to a third party without the musicians' knowledge, and in the spring of this year, the ex-management applied for the registration of three more related brands. ()

### Legal framework and cancelled European tour

Against the backdrop of the fallout, fans are particularly concerned about the fate of the disrupted European tour, which was cancelled on August 9, 2026. The artists assure that they intend to return funds to the audience and have already involved a professional team of lawyers and financial consultants. All disputes regarding copyright, trademarks, and access to media resources have been transferred to the legal plane, and relevant administrative and judicial processes are currently being initiated to restore justice.

### Contradictory data

While Vlad Michalchuk and Mykhailo Matiukhin insist on a unilateral seizure of power and complete ignoring of communication by the management since May, the position of the opposite party differs in details. Director Andriy Shyrko confirmed the termination of years of cooperation, describing the finale of the relationship as "low and ironic," but denied claims of a complete halt in dialogue. According to Shyrko, professional communication between the lawyers of both parties continued uninterrupted, including on the day the scandalous video was published on October 2, 2026.

### Expert assessments and prospects

Music experts note that such conflicts between independent artists and production centers often arise due to the legal unresolvedness of intellectual property issues at the initial stages of project creation. For Schmalgauzen, this crisis means starting media life from scratch, which is complicated by litigation. Nevertheless, high audience loyalty and bringing the case to the legal field give the band a chance to defend their rights to the brand and accumulated assets.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- ["Эти люди присвоили наши деньги и сети". Schmalgauzen заявили о конфликте с менеджментом](https://wave.rbc.ua/ukr/stars/tsi-lyudi-privlasnili-nashi-koshti-ta-merezhi-1791126787.html) - Основной источник, описывающий видеообращение участников группы и комментарии экс-менеджмента.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Who announced the conflict in the Schmalgauzen band?
**A:** Music project leaders Vlad Michalchuk and Mykhailo Matiukhin.

### Q: Who exactly did the musicians break up relations with?
**A:** Producer Valentyn Belokon and director Andriy Shyrko.

### Q: What assets did the artists lose after the split?
**A:** Access to social media, streaming platforms, financial information, and trademark rights.