NABU exposes embezzlement of almost UAH 12 million by Ukrzaliznytsia officials

NABU and SAPO have notified three persons of suspicion of embezzling Ukrzaliznytsia PJSC funds to the amount of UAH 11.8 million.

The suspects are*:

• the Deputy Head of Ukrzaliznytsia branch;
• the Head of Ukrzaliznytsia Logistics Department;
• the head of a private company that won the tender.

* positions at the time of committing the crime

The actions of the officials fall under Part 5 Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

In 2018, one of the branches of Ukrzaliznytsia PJSC held a tender for the purchase of coal to heat passenger trains.

According to the investigation, the suspected head of the branch, as the chair of the tender committee, colluded with the head of Ukrzaliznytsia logistics department to ensure the victory of a predetermined supplier by leaving other companies outside the contest.

The winner eventually supplied coal at inflated prices that caused the state company to pay extra UAH 11.8 million.

According to the conclusion of an expert check, the market price of one ton of coal as of the contract date was UAH 3770, while Ukrzaliznytsia PJSC undertook to pay UAH 4563 per ton.

The above facts were also confirmed by Ukrzaliznytsia’s internal audit, which considerably contributed to pre-trial investigation.