The SBU, under the supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office, exposed a large-scale gas fraud in Donetsk region. According to preliminary data, losses to state budget may amount to UAH 650 m. (USD 23.2 m.).

Gas belonged to the operator of the Ukrainian gas transmission system. Due to artificial production and technological costs, the offenders stole it. They also could supply gas to the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region.

Upon the fact of unauthorized interference in the automated system of PJSC "Donetskoblgaz", law enforcement officers carried out a number of searches in the company’s offices and production facilities.

The following actions detected and removed:

• documents on the amount of supplied natural gas by the operator;
• software complex of gas accounting in PJSC "Donetskoblgaz", where the unauthorized access was uncovered.

The evidence and equipment were sent for examination.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing for misappropriation, embezzlement or conversion or property by malversation; endamagement of facilities on main pipelines for oil, gas, or oil products; unauthorized interference with the work of electronic computing machines (computers), automated systems, computer networks or telecommunication networks.

Note:

In accordance with Art. 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing 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.