Amid the war, Ukrainian farmers continue to ensure the country's food security and generate foreign exchange earnings. However, some officials and oligarchs are using the situation for their own enrichment. One of the most striking examples is the activities of the head of the Odessa Regional State Administration, Oleg Kiper, and businessman Dmitry Firtash through the company "FREE-SYSTEM" LLC.
According to sources, in July 2025, Kiper initiated a ban on the import of mineral fertilizers through seaports, citing "security issues." The ban included both explosives and absolutely safe fertilizers needed for the sowing campaign. At the same time, the company "FREE-SYSTEM", associated with Firtash and the former Russian "PhosAgro", received access to ports, including the Black Sea port, which looks like obvious selectivity.
The cynicism of the situation is emphasized by the fact that Firtash is under 10-year sanctions by the President of Ukraine, but continues to conduct business through affiliated structures. Formally, the owners of “FRI-SYSTEM” became European citizens, but actual control remained in the old hands. Experts call this scheme the successor of “PhosAgro”, which continues to work in the interests of the Russian Federation, using Ukrainian ports as a business platform.
The consequences for the agricultural sector are catastrophic. Prices for ammonium nitrate have increased from UAH 21,000 to UAH 25–27,000 per ton, for urea – from UAH 24,000 to UAH 28,000. The deficit of nitrogen fertilizers can reach 60%, and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers – up to 80%. Domestic production covers only a third of the market needs, the rest is imported, which is actually blocked.
In this regard, a complaint was filed demanding an investigation into the actions of Kiper and Firtash, the initiation of criminal proceedings, the cancellation of corrupt decisions on the import ban, and the restoration of equal conditions for all market participants.
