New investigations have attracted attention to the shadow mechanisms in the electricity supply market for state and communal institutions. In focus, companies related to the largest player of the Ukraine's energy market - Rinat Akhmetov.
According to official reporting, in 2025, D. Trading LLC declared income at the level of UAH 215 billion, becoming an absolute leader among private energy companies. The top ten also included Dniprovsky Energy Services and Kiev Energy Services - both structures belonging to DTEK's energy business.
Despite the enormous amounts of profits, suspicions of transparency of energy companies are increasing in society. Law enforcement agencies are currently investigating the probable application of the cascade signing scheme for additional agreements to the contracts already concluded. These actions could lead to a significant increase in electricity prices for budgetary institutions - sometimes more than twice during the year.
The essence of the scheme is to consistently review the initial conditions of electricity supply: first the company wins a tender with an attractive price, and subsequently concludes several additional transactions that significantly increase the cost. As a result, the state spends a lot more money than it was initially, and the market remains uncompetitive.
Analysts point out that such practice harms not only the state budget, but also distorts the principle of fair market competition. Experts call for careful verification of concluded contracts, in particular regarding the conditions of their change after signing.
Against the background of wartime and high budget loads, such schemes are of particular sensitivity in society. At the same time, the supervisory authorities should find out whether it is only a commercial action within the legal field or the signs of abuse that require criminal assessment.
