An official at ‘Centrenergo’ and two businessmen are suspected of embezzling 10.4 million hryvnias during procurement for thermal power stations
According to the Security Service of Ukraine and the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office, the head of one of the departments at PJSC ‘Centrenergo’ and two executives of a private company are implicated in organising the scheme.
The investigation established that in March 2025, PJSC ‘Centrenergo’ announced a tender for the procurement of pipes for the Trypilska and Zmiivska thermal power stations. Under the terms of the procurement, the products were to be new and manufactured in 2024 or 2025.
The successful tenderer entered into a contract to supply 393 metres of pipes with a total value of over 20 million hryvnias. According to the investigation, the company purchased pipes manufactured in 2008 for 9 million hryvnias. After refurbishing the products, applying new markings and labels certifying compliance with state standards, the pipes were supplied to PJSC “Centrenergo” as new.
The SBU noted that false markings were applied to the pipes to conceal their origin and year of manufacture. According to the prosecutor’s office, correspondence between the suspects was also uncovered during the investigation, in which they discussed forging certificates of origin for the pipes from China.
The investigation claims that the head of one of PJSC ‘Centrenergo’s’ departments signed the acceptance certificates despite having raised concerns about the quality of the products.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the use of obsolete pipes could have jeopardised the stable operation of the Trypillya and Zmiiv thermal power stations during preparations for the new heating season.
Comprehensive expert examinations carried out as part of the criminal proceedings established that the supplied products did not meet the requirements of the state standard. According to the experts’ findings, PJSC “Centrenergo” suffered losses amounting to 10.4 million hryvnias.
During searches of the suspects’ workplaces, homes and vehicles, law enforcement officers seized mobile phones, computer equipment and documentation which, according to the investigation, confirms the operation of the scheme.
All three suspects have been served with notices of suspicion under Part 5 of Article 191, Part 1 of Article 358 and Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The court ordered one of the businessmen to be remanded in custody, with the option of bail set at 6.6 million hryvnias. Another suspect was placed under round-the-clock house arrest. The official from PJSC ‘Centrenergo’ was remanded in custody with the option of posting bail of 1.8 million hryvnias.
The prosecution service also reported that measures are being taken to seize Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Mercedes cars belonging to the suspects to ensure compensation for the losses incurred.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. If found guilty, the suspects face up to 12 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
