Poltavagaz, which formally should belong to the state, has actually become a feeder for the family of former regional MP Oleksiy Lelyuk. Law enforcement officers uncovered a large-scale gas resale scheme, due to which Naftogaz suffered millions in losses. And the population – as always – turned out to be the last resort.
According to the investigation, Poltavagaz managers sold gas, which they purchased from Naftogaz at a preferential tariff for the population (7.96 UAH/m³), to entrepreneurs at the market price, in cash. At the same time, tariffs for businesses in 2024 ranged from 13.6 to 19.2 UAH/m³. The difference ended up in the pockets of management.
On February 12, 2025, the court seized the company's property and documents. Earlier, the offices were searched: hundreds of paper documents, invoices, telephones, and shadow documentation were seized.
The investigation also found that individual household consumers who were caught stealing gas were "excused" for half the fine - in cash, without referring the cases to the commission. The system was clearly set up.
Family rules: Lelyuky and Poltavagaz
Since the 1990s, the company has been controlled by Oleksiy Lelyuk, a former deputy from the Party of Regions, who at one time headed the board and simply bought out a controlling stake.
For 2025, the ownership structure is as follows:
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Lelyuk Oleksiy – 42.51%,
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Lelyuk Volodymyr (father) – 26.01%,
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NJSC “Naftogaz of Ukraine” – only 25%.
That is, the state is in the minority, and they rule “as a family.”.
Through the related LLC “Poltavagaz zbut”, the family ensures gas supply not only to people, but also to enterprises.
The director on paper is Serhiy Pogrebnyak, but de facto management is in the hands of the Lelyuks. The financial statements are also eloquent: with an income of 930 million UAH, losses of more than 40 million UAH, and another 1.7 billion UAH in debts. That is, a “successful business” only for its own people.
What do they say in Poltavagaz?
As expected, they will disavow. In a comment to Poltavashchyna, the company called everything “fiction,” saying, “we work openly and transparently,” and the criminal case is an attempt at pressure.
But as long as the court decisions mention the chairman of the board, the chief engineer, and the heads of branches and stations, it is difficult to talk about a simple misunderstanding.
Criminal proceedings have been opened under Part 4 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code – misappropriation of property on a particularly large scale, which provides for up to 8 years of imprisonment.
