The SSU exposed a large-scale scheme of embezzlement of funds of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine. The criminals caused losses to the state-owned company in the amount of over UAH 37 mln and could have disrupted the 2020-2021 heating season in Dnipropetrovsk oblast.

The scheme was organized with involvement of the top management of a Kyiv-based gas trader.

In 2020, this Kyiv-based company entered into an agreement with one of the heat generating enterprises in Dnipropetrovsk region.

Despite the terms of the agreement, in mid-February 2021, this Kyiv company completely stopped supplying natural gas to the region.

The state intervened in the situation, as the government of Ukraine is the guarantor of uninterrupted heat supply to the population. Thus, gas for heating Dnipropetrovsk oblast was taken from Naftogaz's deposit.

However, Naftogaz did not receive any payment for this. As a result of using false information in official documents by a private company from Kyiv, all the money from the heat generating enterprise in Dnipropetrovsk went to the accounts of the Kyiv company.

Later, officials of this entity legalized the funds through controlled commercial entities.

The SSU also documented several transfers to the suspects’ personal bank cards.

Based on the collected evidence, the law enforcement agencies notified the director, commercial director, legal counsel of the gas trading company, as well as their accomplice, of suspicion under three Articles of the CCU:

• 366.1 (forgery in office);
• 191.5 (misappropriation, embezzlement or seizure of property through abuse of office);
• 209.2 (money laundering).

The court is to decide on custody as a measure of restraint. The investigation is underway.

The SSU carried out the activities jointly with the National Police under the supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.