Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko announced the exposure of large-scale corruption in the forest…
UAH 167 million in losses due to illegal logging, almost UAH 140 million in unsubstantiated assets, more than 40 suspicions in recent weeks. Prosecutors reported on a large-scale case involving the employees of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” and the State Enterprise “LIAC”, among the participants the organizer and three members of the criminal group.
The essence of the scheme: at the request of “Forests of Ukraine” officials, the “LIAC” employee changed the data in the electronic accounting of wood – underestimated the volume, changed the quality, deleted documents. From 2021 to 2024, more than 10,000 such changes were made. Participants received more than UAH 10 million in bribes for “services” (from UAH 5 to 30 thousand per transaction).
The most violations were found in the Volyn, Rivne, Zhytomyr and Kyiv regions. Thanks to the actions of the prosecutor's office, it was possible to reduce the shadow circulation of wood.
In recent weeks, more than 40 suspicions have been announced, including 21 against employees of “Forests of Ukraine”. Two people were taken into custody. Precautionary measures have been applied to the general director of the state-owned enterprise and the foreman of the Kostopil forest farm.
In 2025, more than 300 lawsuits were filed for the return of 7,511 hectares of forest. Damages were estimated at UAH 351 million, 175 hectares have already been returned to the state. Officials responsible for forest protection are involved in abuses. The investigation is ongoing.
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