‘The value of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s assets soared despite economic crisis and conflict while those of other tycoons shrank in an annual wealth list published Friday.

The 50-year-old Western-backed president’s business empire ranges from chocolates to media holdings that still remain under his control.

Friday’s independent Novoye Vremya weekly showed the Ukrainian leader – often criticised for failing to curb the political powers of fellow tycoons – ranked as the country’s sixth-richest man.

His assets reportedly rose by 20 percent to $979 million (889 million euros) – barely supporting his claim of no longer being a billionaire.’

Read more: As Ukraine Gets Poorer, President’s Wealth Grows