During 2023–2024, 27 seized land plots with a total area of over 40 hectares were sold in Volyn through the Prozorro.Sales system. These were plots seized from debtors due to non-payment of loans or bankruptcy, the further fate of which was determined by state and private executors.
Over two years, sales brought the state UAH 6.7 million. The amount only slightly exceeded the starting price, as most auctions were held without real competition. Some of the plots were intended for residential development, others for personal farming.
The largest amount of land was purchased by the company "MGK "Forest" of former People's Deputy Serhiy Martynyak - over 7 hectares in the Volodymyr district. The enterprise was often the only bidder or competed with persons related to the owner.
A similar practice was used by agrarian Valeriy Dibrova with the company "Pyatidni". This scheme allowed large players to expand their land assets virtually without competition.
The investigation revealed a number of cases indicating artificial competition:
-
Pyatidni LLC competed with its own lawyers in the auction;
-
"Volyn-Agrocenter" had rivals among former accountants;
-
other participants were employees or affiliates of agricultural companies.
Such actions eliminated competition and distorted results, which directly contradicts the law on the protection of economic competition.
Local politicians were among the new owners:
-
The farm "Amila" of regional council deputy Roman Mykytyuk purchased almost 1.4 hectares;
-
Lutsk City Council official Vasyl Demchuk became the owner of a 1.4-hectare plot in the village of Pulmo;
-
Serhiy Bohonko's construction company "Effect" received 25 acres in Strumivka near Lutsk, taking advantage of the arrest due to an unpaid loan.