Volodymyr Kudrytskyi’s resignation from the position of Chairman of the Board of the national company “Ukrenergo” was caused by serious problems in the implementation of contracts for the protection of energy infrastructure. In 2023, the company concluded 63 agreements worth UAH 4.3 billion for the construction of protective structures at electrical substations. However, this work was not completed on time, which was one of the reasons for his dismissal.
Perhaps this is why emergency power outages are occurring in Ukraine, and the energy system has not been stabilized for over a week after the Russian attack on the energy sector on August 26, 2024.
On August 26, 2024, the main targets of the Russian attack were precisely the objects of Ukraine's network infrastructure, that is, transformer substations and power lines that ensure the transmission of electricity from power plants to consumers. It was precisely on the strengthening of transformer substations that funds were spent under two shelter construction programs, which were implemented by NPP Ukrenergo and the State Agency for the Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (State Restoration). In total, the enemy used 127 missiles and 109 drones against Ukraine (102 and 99 were shot down, respectively). It was these 25 missiles and 10 drones that caused enormous damage to substations and high-voltage power lines. In addition, the enemy used missiles with cluster warheads - which caused much more damage to substations with small metal charges. Accordingly, it is more difficult to repair than it would be under normal strikes.
During 2023, NPC Ukrenergo concluded 63 similar agreements for the reconstruction of transformer substations with a total value of UAH 4 billion 359 million 806 thousand 685 with various contractors in the regions. Tenders were not held, Ukrenergo independently selected contractors. This is permitted in wartime conditions. Such data is available in the ProZorro public procurement system.
The deadline for completion of the work was set for February 22, 2024. However, due to shelling, lack of funding, and “force majeure” circumstances, none of these agreements were fully implemented. The terms of the agreements were repeatedly extended, some as early as late August 2024 after the Russian attack on the energy sector and in September 2024.
One agreement with Pobudova LLC for the construction of protection for a transformer substation for UAH 69 million 489 thousand 315 was terminated on January 31, 2024, nothing was paid for it, and no work was carried out. This company is registered in Kyiv. The owner is Olena Bilokon from Donetsk Oblast, director is Andriy Istomin. Before Ukrenergo, they did not receive state contracts, after that, they repaired 3 houses in Kyiv and Irpen.
Another agreement with Comfort Bud Service LLC for UAH 69 million 38 thousand 811 was terminated on February 29, 2024, nothing was done on it either and nothing was paid. Another agreement is still being implemented. According to the YouControl analytical platform, the company was registered in 2017 in Zhytomyr, and since 2023 it has moved to Kyiv. Director Bohdan Bilous. Owners are Bohdag Bilous from Kyiv and Oleksandr Ostapchuk from Ovruch.
The Corporation of Production and Commercial Enterprises “Soyuz” must fulfill 7 contracts (69+ million UAH each) for the construction of protective structures for transformer substations. In August 2024, expenses were reduced for one of the facilities, but it is unknown by how much. Protection of two more transformers for 120 million 355 thousand 535 UAH was ordered by Ukrenergo to the company on August 29, 2024 - after the massive Russian strike. The corporation was founded in 1997. The director is Igor Prykhodko, who was an assistant to the Verkhovna Rada deputy Anatoly Kinakh in 2006-2014. The Corporation “Soyuz” is 63% owned by LLC “Energopostachania” and 37% by LLC “Holding Soyuz-Consulting”. The ultimate owner is 83% Alena Prykhodko.
LLC “Seven CI” received 5 contracts from “Ukrenergo” (69+ million UAH each) for the construction of protection for substations. The company was registered in 2017 in Kyiv. The owner and manager is Natalia Deren.
4 substations for 276 million 605 thousand 748 UAH were to be protected by LLC “Eurocon Ukraine”. The company was founded in Kyiv in 2003. The owners are Estonians Toomas Luman, Liivi Luman, Egon Mats. The director is Yuriy Petryk, he also works at PrJSC “Devon”, which is associated with millionaire Pavel Fuchs.
4 substations worth UAH 69 million each are to be protected by Intergal Systems LLC. This company was founded in 2011 and is registered in the city of Obukhiv, Kyiv region. The director and owner is Olena Pshets.
LLC “Pidvennyy Energotechnichnyy Zavod” is to build protection for 3 substations (UAH 69 million each). The company was founded in 2014 and registered in Odessa. The owner and director is Oleksandr Kalin.
3 substations for 207 million 566 thousand 937 UAH should be protected by LLC “Real-Stroy”. Previously, the company was located in the village of Rozsoshyntsi in the Poltava region, now – in the village of Slobozhanske near the city of Dnipro. Owner – Oleksandr Naydenov from Kryvyi Rih. Director – Valeriy Gridasov.
For the same amount, 3 substations are to be protected by Mira Energo LLC. Founded in 2018, the company is currently registered in Kyiv. The owner is Nelya Rusak. The director is Mykhailo Rusak (until 2024, the director was Valentyna Bogdanova).
PJSC “Trest Zhytlobud – 1” is to protect 2 substations for 69+ million UAH each. Director – Kostyantyn Siukhin. Owner – Oleksandr Kharchenko, member of the executive committee of the Kharkiv City Council and former deputy of the Kharkiv Regional Council (2010-2015). We wrote about this company as a top contractor for the construction of fortifications in the Kharkiv region. This is the largest developer in the Kharkiv region, which also participates in the restoration of buildings after shelling.
