A scheme involving the purchase of generators at inflated prices has been uncovered in the Kyiv region
Operatives from the Strategic Investigations Directorate in the Kyiv region, working alongside Kyiv region police investigators under the procedural supervision of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, have established that officials from the Department of Housing and Communal Services of the Bila Tserkva City Council, in collusion with representatives of a private company, organised the procurement of generators at inflated prices.
According to the investigation, in 2024, two diesel generator sets were purchased to ensure the operation of the city’s sewage treatment facilities.
Law enforcement officials believe that the estimated cost of the purchase was based on artificially created commercial offers, and that the technical requirements of the tender were tailored to a specific model of equipment and a specific supplier.
According to the investigation, in April 2024, the Housing and Utilities Department signed a contract with the company for the supply of generators worth over 9.2 million UAH.
At the same time, law enforcement officers established that the actual cost of the equipment, purchased from another supplier, amounted to over 3.6 million hryvnias.
In September 2024, the full amount was transferred from the local budget under the contract. The difference between the actual cost of the generators and the funds paid from the budget, according to the investigation, exceeded 5.3 million UAH.
In addition, investigators documented financial transactions aimed at laundering part of the funds obtained by criminal means. According to law enforcement, the money was transferred to the accounts of companies and sole traders under the guise of payment for fictitious services and non-repayable financial assistance.
Police carried out 11 searches in the Kyiv region, Kyiv and Mykolaiv.
During the investigative operations, mobile phones, laptops, financial and business documentation, draft records, nearly $90,000, over 1.9 million hryvnias, nearly 16,000 euros and 7.62 mm calibre ammunition were seized.
The company’s director has now been notified of suspicion under Part 5 of Article 191 and Part 1 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The head of the procurement division of the Housing and Utilities Department has been notified of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Two further individuals are suspected of aiding and abetting the embezzlement of property and the laundering of proceeds obtained by criminal means.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.
