Exhibit 2 — USA v. Barabash (Dkt. 23.2)

Record facts

U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland · No. 1:22-cr-00232-JKB · Doc. 23-2 · 2023-06-12 · Docket on CourtListener

Full text

Exhibit 2 
Case 1:22-cr-00232-JKB     Document 23-2     Filed 06/12/23     Page 1 of 4

LETTER OF MARIIA DOROSHENKO 
 
My name is Mariia Doroshenko, I am 36 years of age, a graduate of NAU, The National Aviation 
University of Ukraine, recipient of a master’s degree in architecture, and the fiancé of Alexander 
Barabash.  
  
I am the eldest of two children, my parents have been together for forty years and have been 
married for thirty-seven. I do not have tattoos, consume alcohol, or use any controlled substances, 
and neither does anyone in my family. No one in my family has ever committed a crime.  
  
The date was April 13th when I met Alex for the first time for dinner at the Prime Rib Restaurant. 
Within the first hour of conversation, I began to see an admirable man who had an enormous 
amount of inner beauty. He radiated a self-awareness fueled by drive, passion, and creativity, and 
yet he spoke with simple humility.  
  
He had charisma, integrity, compassion, and an enormous amount of resiliency while working in 
volatile unpredictable environments in his career. Alex was sincerely grateful that these challenges 
presented themselves because overcoming these obstacles resulted in invaluable lessons in life.  
We spoke of my experiences, my goals, and my family, and Alex showed a respectful concern for 
learning who I am and what drives me. 
  
We were the last couple to leave the restaurant that night and at the end of that evening, I had an 
extraordinarily strong feeling that I had met someone that was going to be an incredibly special 
part of my life for years to come. 
  
Due to conflicting schedules, we were not able to see one another until the weekend of the 25th of 
April, that Sunday the 28th was our Orthodox Easter so I had the opportunity to meet Alex’s family; 
dad, mom, and, sister, and we all attended mass together at St. Michael Archangel Ukrainian 
Catholic Church in Canton, MD. His family was amazing; warm, kind, loving, and genuine people 
who at once embraced me.  
  
I am a bit of an introvert; a bit shy and reserved. Alex began introducing me to things I had never 
done before. Orioles and Ravens games, Wine festivals, the Opera, and the Baltimore Symphony 
Orchestra to name a few.  When I was younger, my family had Cane Corso dogs, Alex had two 
purebred Great Danes, a black boy named Sir Master Lucius Claudius, and a blue girl, Madame 
Beauchalais, so it was incredible to be around gentle giants once again. Unfortunately, shortly after 
getting to know Lucius he lost his fight with cancer and had to be laid to rest on July 7th, 2019. 
  
About 9 months into our relationship the Covid 19 Pandemic began. This allowed us to move in 
together and continue to strengthen our relationship. 
  
The Pandemic put a great deal of stress on Alex to keep his company running. He was not worried 
about himself; his primary concern was for the people that worked for him and to make certain 
that everyone would continue to receive pay while this unprecedented event continued to 
negatively develop.  
Case 1:22-cr-00232-JKB     Document 23-2     Filed 06/12/23     Page 2 of 4

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He was determined to support small business vendors with whom he maintained relationships for 
over 20 years to keep people working so they could provide for their families.  
 
In February 2021 Russia invaded Ukraine, where my immediate family lives, escalating our level 
of stress to new heights.  
 
In April 2021, Alex’s girl Great Dane developed Osteosarcoma and on the 10th of April had to be 
given her Angels Wings. 
  
For over a year we endured the atrocities of unprovoked aggression from Russia when finally, a 
sign of hope came in the implementation of the Uniting for Ukraine program. Alex immediately 
owned the responsibility to apply to the Department of Homeland Security as a sponsor so that my 
younger brother and his girlfriend could leave the war crisis. After a long and initiative-taking 
dedicated unwavering resolve on Alex’s part, my brother and his girlfriend were able to safely 
arrive in the United States in December of 2022 and are currently living with us.  
  
Since the crisis began Alex and I have been sending packages to aid the children and women of 
Ukraine. Undergarments, socks, personal hygiene items, etc. 
  
Helping my mother and father out of the region has been more complicated. Alex has been an 
integral part of this labyrinthine process. For over two years we have diligently collaborated to 
achieve their arrival to the United States. After a very lengthy, grueling, logistically challenging 
process my mother and father will finally be flying to the United States on June 22, 2023.  
  
I am grateful to Alex for his steadfast commitment, to God, and to this great country of the United 
States of America for creating the opportunity to make this possible, to save the lives of the people 
that I love dearly and cherish, and to have our family finally reunited.  
  
Having my brother and his girlfriend here adds certain challenges as we get them both settled and 
acclimated to a new country and quickly have them become responsible contributing citizens. My 
parents are leaving everything behind, they have exhausted all financials over the 2-year period 
and must start their lives from zero. The personal items they bring in their suitcase will be all they 
have to show for a full life lived. I will need Alex as support more now than ever so we can help 
my parents and integrate them to become valuable members of our community.  
  
Alex has been waiting patiently because we cannot get married until he sits down with my father 
face to face and asks for his permission for his marital blessing. Showing respect and honor for 
my father is paramount for Alex.  
  
I speak for both sets of our parents because Alex’s and my parents instilled the same core values 
in both of us; morals, values, and ethics. They taught us to be hard working and to achieve our 
goals, courage, compassion, integrity, respect, inspiration and innovation, loyalty, humility, 
accountability, and understanding of the power of a simple smile.  
  
Alex and I are ready to be parents. We want to pass on the wonderful characteristics and qualities 
to our children that our amazing parents instilled in both of us.  
Case 1:22-cr-00232-JKB     Document 23-2     Filed 06/12/23     Page 3 of 4

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We have a cat named Cleopatra while raising a harlequin pure-bred boy and girl Great Dane named 
Maximus and Dolce who are about to turn 1 year of age. Animals have always been a part of both 
of our lives and their healthy proper development is essential to us.  
  
Alex is unlike anyone I have ever met. He is a brilliant mind, one of the hardest-working people I 
have ever met, and treats everyone with respect and kindness.  Amazing friend, supportive brother, 
loving son, and hopefully soon-to-be husband and father of our children.  
  
Your honor, I beg you for leniency, please do not take away a brilliant person from my life.  
I have lost count of the times Alex apologized to me for making this mistake.  So many incredible 
people that are dear to me are currently reliant on Alex, people that are coming out of a war conflict 
and must restart their lives.  
  
Alex has sacrificed so much for so many. I humbly ask for your consideration for a chance to 
restart our life. 
  
Mariia Doroshenko  
 
 
Case 1:22-cr-00232-JKB     Document 23-2     Filed 06/12/23     Page 4 of 4

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