SBU, under the supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office, exposed Donetskoblgaz PJSC top-officials on applying an illegal scheme of state natural gas misappropriation amounting to billions of hryvnias.

SBU established that since 2017 several industrial enterprises of Donetsk region have been consuming state natural gas for free. At the same time, Donetskoblgaz PJSC management “attributed” the debt for gas, consumed by the industrial enterprises, to Donetsk region residents.

Consequently, the so-called debt of locals for the consumed natural gas reached UAH 1,7 billion (USD 60,7 million). To implement the scheme, the dealers developed and incorporated software with hidden function of double-accounting.

During the searches of suspects’ residences and Donetskoblgaz PJSC offices, the law enforcement seized evidence and documents, proving the illegal activity.

The issues of serving the top-officials notices of suspicion of misappropriation, embezzlement or conversion of property (P. 5 Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), and choosing the form of detention are being settled.

The investigation is ongoing.