Journalists from the publication "Western Information Front" have published an investigation that exposes another corruption scheme — this time in the structure of NJSC "Naftogaz of Ukraine". We are talking about LLC "Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine", where key positions are held by people from the entourage of the late Kharkiv Mayor Gennady Kernes.
The main figure in the scandal was Oleksiy Kalyna, a former prosecutor and Kernes official, and now an influential functionary of Naftogaz. It was with his arrival that Gazmerezh began to appoint former Kharkiv “proven personnel”, in particular Volodymyr Rozhansky, a former State Labor Service official who had previously been an assistant to pro-Russian MP Dmytro Svyatash.
At the center of the scandal is the purchase of protective structures for employees of the company's branches in the regions. Tenders were held for tens of millions of hryvnias and were won by companies with a dubious reputation. For example, LLC "L7", registered shortly before the tender, where the head is Konstantin Reva - commercial director of the company "Hobbit House", which is associated with Russian businessmen and the FSB.
Despite this, the labor protection department, headed by Rozhansky, did not see any violations. The tender for UAH 18.7 million was awarded to “L7” under a simplified procedure without competition. Another division — the Chernihiv branch — ordered structures from the same company for UAH 7.8 million. At the same time, the prices for the same shelters in different branches differ by hundreds of thousands of hryvnias, which may indicate a kickback scheme.
According to the requirements of the DBN, the thickness of the walls of the shelters must be at least 330 mm. However, as journalists found, in fact it was only 300 mm. This means that the structures are not able to protect workers in the event of an impact - neither from debris nor from a blast wave.
All documents, including technical passports, certificates, and specifications, indicate that L7 supplies Hobbit House products. And this is not only an economic issue, but also a matter of national security, as it concerns possible ties with an aggressor country.
Rozhansky is known for his rapid career rise and luxurious lifestyle. During his time in public service, he amassed an entire real estate empire: 15 land plots, 7 apartments, houses, bathhouses, a fleet of luxury cars, jet skis, and a collection of Swiss watches.
His appointment at Gazmerezha was a continuation of the “right people in the right positions” scheme. All of this was done with the tacit consent of Naftogaz’s top management.
Journalists call on the SBU and NABU to pay attention to the activities of Rozhansky, Kalyna, and the supplier companies. After all, this is not only about the alleged embezzlement of budget funds, but also about a direct risk to the lives of people - employees who have to rely on these shelters.
