The State Bureau of Investigation, together with the Security Service of Ukraine, has uncovered a large-scale scheme of illegal logging on the territory of the Kharkiv Forest Research Station. Two employees of the Dergachi Forestry Department and two civilians have already been notified of the suspicion.
According to the investigation, a state-owned enterprise that was supposed to be engaged in the cultivation and preservation of forests became a place for organizing a profitable illegal business. Forestry officials chose remote areas where they destroyed trees in an uncontrolled manner. In 2024, 1,077 trees were cut down in this way for a total of about 12 million hryvnias.
The sawn timber was transported to warehouses, after which it was sold to local residents for 2,000 hryvnias per cubic meter. The proceeds were shared among all participants in the scheme.
The civilians are charged with illegal logging, which led to serious consequences (Part 4 of Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). They face up to 7 years in prison.
The forestry officials were also charged with abuse of authority committed by a group of persons in a prior conspiracy (Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 3 of Article 365 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The maximum penalty under these articles is up to 10 years in prison.
The criminal proceedings are under the procedural leadership of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office. The issue of compensation for damages caused to the state is currently being worked out.
