The Security Service of Ukraine, in conjunction with the National Police, has uncovered a large-scale scheme to steal natural gas from Ukraine’s state gas transmission system.

As a result of operations in the Dnipropetrovsk region, a criminal group has been neutralised; the group had been covertly siphoning off industrial quantities of gas from the main pipeline for sale.

It has been established that the suspects sold the stolen gas as motor fuel through petrol stations under their control.

Between 2025 and 2026, the perpetrators misappropriated nearly 3.4 million cubic metres of natural gas, worth over UAH 65 million (USD 1.4 mln).

The scheme was organised by the head of the gas metering and metrology service at the regional office of the state-owned gas company. He enlisted the help of his subordinate – the section head of the relevant department – in the illegal activities.

To conceal the unauthorised siphoning of gas from the pipeline, they disconnected the meters on the gas transmission system and falsified accounting data and reporting documents.

To carry out the next stage of the scheme, the officials enlisted the help of 11 accomplices – representatives of an affiliated private company engaged in the wholesale trade of fuel.

It has been established that the suspects transported the gas using mobile gas refuelling units to their own compressor stations to sell it to their customers for cash.

During searches of the suspects’ premises, computer equipment, notes and accounting documentation containing evidence of the scheme were seized.

SSU investigators have notified all 13 suspects of their status as suspects under several Articles of the CCU, depending on their actions:

• 185.5 (theft on an especially large scale committed by an organised group);
• 28.3, 362.2 (unauthorised actions involving information in computer systems, committed by an organised group).

The suspects are in custody and face up to 12 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Dnipropetrovsk Region in conjunction with the National Police with the assistance of the management of Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine LLC and under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.