In Kharkiv region, SSU is looking into circumstances of cut-off of gas supplied by JSC Kharkivgaz in Blahodatne, Kharkiv region. Officials of this private entity extorted extra payments from consumers with no grounds for this, substantiating these demands by alleged orders of the President and state leadership. In this way, the perpetrators incited mass protests that could destabilize the situation.

SSU documented JSC Kharkivgaz to have cut off gas supply to the whole village under the guise of repair work in early October.  

Having turned off gas, the perpetrators asked the locals to sign an additional contract for building maintenance services, non-existing in fact. This would lead to gas bills in each household increasing by UAH 1200-1800 (USD 45-68) per year.

JSC Kharkivgaz refused to supply gas to the village unless every resident signed the contract. The perpetrators used their monopoly and the urgent need in gas supply at the beginning of the heating season leaving the residents with no choice.

The leadership of JSC Kharkivgaz claimed that the company had nothing to do with the price increase, and that the President and state leadership are responsible. This led to mass protests and even blocking a motor-way.

The perpetrators’ actions featured attributes of offence under Article 109 of the Criminal Code (forceful change of constitutional order). The sentence for the offence can be up to 10 years in prison.

Due to help from law enforcement and local government, gas supply to the village was restored on October 17.

The investigation is ongoing.

JSC Kharkivgaz is 95,5% a private company regulating prices for its services.