Three suspected of UAH 12 million losses to state energy producer amid war

NABU and SAPO have charged three persons with causing almost UAH 12 million in losses to a state-owned energy producer amidst an energy crisis triggered by russia's full-scale invasion.

The suspects are:
• an ex-deputy minister of energy (2020-2021) - Part 3 Article 27, Part 2 Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine;
• an ex-MP, former deputy chairman of the Committee on Construction, Urban Development, Housing and Communal Services of the Verkhovna Rada, beneficiary of a private company - Part 3 Article 27, Part 2 Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine;
• a former director of the Ukrvuhillya state-owned coal company - Part 2 Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, by late July 2022, the coal market in Ukraine was constrained due to the ongoing war. To ensure a stable heating season 2022/2023, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine mandated that Ukrvuhillya supply energy to designated electricity producers, including Centrenergo PJSC.

Despite these restrictions, the beneficiary of a private company which had a contract with Ukrvuhillya, conspired with the ex-deputy minister of energy of Ukraine to coerce the company's director into selling coal to his company, which already owed Ukrvuhillya over UAH 50 million.

Meanwhile, Centrenergo did not receive 12,500 tons of coal and had to purchase it in October 2022 at a significantly higher price, overpaying almost UAH 12 million.

The investigation is ongoing.