The Security Service of Ukraine has blocked in Zhytomyr region the illegal extraction of sand mixtures on an industrial scale in the territory of the SE "Korostyshiv Forestry".

Allegedly, the Kyiv commercial structure willfully occupied the site owned by the municipal agroforestry enterprise Zhytomyroblahrolis and organized there illegal topsoil excavation.

With the use of heavy excavator-based equipment, the attackers removed the soil on the site over 2 hectares and began mining. They sold the sand mixture to the commercial structures of Kyiv region at the common rate.

Initiated by the Service engineering-ecological and commodity examinations showed that during this time the offenders managed to extract 96,000 m3 of sand, which caused state losses amounting to UAH 51.7 million (USD 1,846,429)

Moreover, according to the State Environmental Inspectorate of Ukraine estimates, the land undergone irreversible damage and is not intended for use and recovery.

The director of the mining enterprise was served a suspicion notice within the framework of criminal proceedings initiated under Part 1 Art.239-1, Part 1 Art.240 and Art.254 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The investigation is ongoing.

The documenting of the crime was carried out by the SBU Office in Zhytomyr region jointly with National Police under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor's Office of the Zhytomyr region.