A scandal has erupted again in Kyiv over the possible development of the territory of the Hryshko National Botanical Garden. Residents of the capital are concerned that the private company KSM Development, which is part of KSM Group, may build a multi-storey complex on lands that have nature conservation status.
What happens to the land of the botanical garden?
In January, the State Audit Service of Ukraine (SASU) stated that the National Botanical Garden named after M. Hryshko illegally transferred part of its land for development. According to the data, the plot on Sadovo-Botanichna Street was part of an investment agreement with the company “KSM Group”, under which it was planned to build residential and non-residential premises.
At the same time, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NANU) and the administration of the botanical garden denied these accusations. According to them, the agreement provided only for the improvement of the economic zone and the overhaul of administrative premises.
However, the prosecutor's office is not convinced by these assurances.
The Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office of the Prosecutor General's Office responded to the situation and began reviewing the legality of the land transfer and the terms of the contract.
Representatives of the Kyiv city government also came to the defense of the botanical garden. Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said that the city is ready to take the botanical garden under its management to prevent development. Deputy Head of the Kyiv City Botanical Garden Timur Tkachenko called for the immediate termination of the contract with the developer.
Who is behind “KSM Group”?
KSM Group is no stranger to construction scandals. The company is owned by businessmen Arseniy and Serhiy Kopystyry, who have repeatedly been involved in high-profile land stories.
According to journalists, NASU transferred 116 hectares of state land in Kyiv to private developers under the guise of investment agreements. However, the promised apartments for scientists were never provided.
One of the most scandalous examples is the Crystal Springs residential complex, the construction of which was completed in 2022, but NASU has still not received 152 apartments from the developer.
Interestingly, instead of transferring housing, the National Academy of Sciences ordered construction work worth UAH 5.6 million from the Kopystyrym-controlled company Ukrinvest and purchased equipment worth UAH 1.1 million.
What happens next?
On January 13, 2025, the Bureau of the Presidium of the NAS of Ukraine recommended terminating the agreement with KSM Development. However, the final decision must be made by the administration of the botanical garden.
For now, the situation remains ambiguous, and the public and activists are closely monitoring developments.
