A large-scale scheme of embezzlement of budget funds that were supposed to be used to equip shelters has been uncovered in the Mykhailivska community. According to the investigation, officials of the Stepivska village council, together with the management of contracting companies, embezzled over 47 million hryvnias allocated for the construction and equipment of civil defense structures.
Investigators claim that officials abused their official position, concluded contracts with companies with signs of fictitiousness and signed acts of completed work, which were either not carried out at all or were only partially completed. According to the documents, the shelters were allegedly put into operation, but on site there were either unfinished premises or protection that did not meet safety requirements. That is, the structures that were supposed to save lives during air raids and shelling, in some cases remained unusable.
Criminal proceedings were opened under No. 12025152260000308 dated 13.09.2025 by the VP No. 5 of the Mykolaiv District Police Department of the Main Police Department in the Mykolaiv region. Qualification - Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of power or official position, which caused grave consequences). This article provides for liability for the actions of officials who use their powers contrary to the interests of the service and cause significant harm to the state.
According to the investigation, the scheme worked as follows:
– the cost of work and materials was artificially inflated;
– fictitious acceptance certificates were signed;
– funds from the village council accounts were transferred to the accounts of controlled contracting companies;
– the money was then “cleaned” through intermediaries, partially converted into cash and distributed to private accounts.
The issue of possible collusion is being investigated separately. Investigators are determining whether village council officials and heads of contracting organizations acted in coordination, as well as whether there was a cover-up by regulatory bodies that were supposed to check the status of work on the shelters and the use of budget funds.
The context of the case is particularly sensitive: funds were allocated for protective structures, which, in the conditions of constant air threats in the Mykolaiv region, are critically important for schools, kindergartens, and civilian infrastructure. Instead of real protection, the community received concrete "on paper" and a hole in the budget.
