In Cherkasy region, law enforcement officers have uncovered a large-scale scheme of illegal withdrawal of natural gas from the state gas transportation system worth over UAH 251 million. The National Police of Ukraine reported this.
The investigation established that in early 2023, the gas supplier was excluded from the balancing group due to significant debt to the state-owned enterprise. This automatically meant the cessation of supply.
However, instead of repaying the debt and concluding a new contract, the participants in the deal illegally took over 10.5 million cubic meters of gas from the state gas transmission system, effectively stealing fuel from the state.
During searches at the former chairman of the company's board, law enforcement officers seized accounting documents, mobile phones, and computer equipment with evidence of involvement in the scheme.
He has already been notified of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 364-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of authority by an official of a legal entity under private law, which resulted in grave consequences).
The sanction of the article provides for imprisonment of up to six years with a ban on holding certain positions and the possibility of confiscation of property.
