The Security Service of Ukraine and the NABU have collected a large-scale evidence base proving the illegality of the privatization of the state-owned Samara-Western Direction oil pipeline in 2015. Currently, former MP Viktor Medvedchuk and four representatives of the former top management of PrykarpatZakhidTrans, who took possession of and managed the pipeline, have been served a notice of suspicion.

In connection with the crimes committed, under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office and the Kharkiv Region Prosecutor's Office, the notice was served under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• Part 3 Art. 27, Part 3 Art. 28, Part 3 Art. 365-2 (abuse of power by persons providing public services);
• Part 3 Art. 27, Part 3 Art. 28, Part 2 Art. 384 (misleading a court or other authorized body);
• Part 3 Art. 27, Part 5 Art. 191 (misappropriation of another person's property by abuse of office by an organized group);
• Part 3 Art. 27, Part 3 Art. 209 (organization of the acquisition, possession and use of funds as a result of a socially dangerous illegal act that preceded the legalisation (laundering) of proceeds, committed by an organised group and in a particularly large amount).

According to the case file, the organizer of the illegal privatization scheme was former MP Viktor Medvedchuk, who is suspected by the SSU of high treason.

According to the available data, he started implementing the scheme in 2015 and acted in close coordination with the then top political leadership of Ukraine and russia.

Medvedchuk involved third parties in the scheme, who subsequently received senior positions at the company that "privatized" the oil pipeline.

According to the materials of the proceedings, the Samara-Western Direction oil pipeline remained in russian ownership after the collapse of the USSR. Starting in 2005, Ukraine has been defending its right to own the pipeline through the courts, and only in 2014-2015 this right was confirmed by the Appellate and Supreme Economic Courts. However, with the support of then Ukraine's top leadership, Medvedchuk managed to overturn this decision through the Rivne Commercial Court and arrange the sale of the pipeline to a Swiss company that was effectively controlled by the participants in the scheme.

After seizing the pipeline, Medvedchuk and his accomplices ensured its operation through the PrykarpatZakhidTrans company, and withdrew the profits to the accounts of affiliated foreign companies and distributed them among themselves.

The relevant information is supported by the evidence available to the NABU and the SSU, as well as by Viktor Medvedchuk's own testimony, which he voluntarily and knowingly provided for exchange with russia.

Since May 2019, diesel pumping through the pipeline has been blocked to return it to state ownership, while law enforcement agencies investigated the legality of the privatization. In January 2024, the Supreme Court of Ukraine finally recognized the Ukrainian part of the pipeline as state property.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. A set of measures is being taken to bring the suspects, who are abroad, to justice, as well as to establish the circle of all those involved in this illegal transaction.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of a crime and shall not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proved through legal procedure and established by a court verdict of guilty.