The SBI has uncovered a corruption scheme at the state-owned enterprise ‘Forests of Ukraine’: officials were collecting 300,000 hryvnias in ‘tribute’ every month

The SBI has uncovered a corruption scheme at the state-owned enterprise ‘Forests of Ukraine’: officials were collecting 300,000 hryvnias in ‘tribute’ every month

Employees of the State Bureau of Investigations terminated the activities of a corruption scheme involving officials of the Southern Regional Office of the State Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine".

According to the investigation, through illegal logging, the participants of the scheme received significant amounts of cash monthly. Reports SBI.

According to law enforcement, in November 2025, the head of the "Kodym Forestry" branch organized an illegal mechanism for earning on timber. He involved the former head of the "Balta Forestry" branch in implementing the scheme.

The investigation established that the defendants forced 11 forest masters to carry out tree felling on controlled territories without the necessary legal grounds. Subsequently, the timber was sold for cash, and part of the proceeds was regularly transferred to the scheme organizers by the employees.

According to preliminary estimates, about 300 thousand hryvnias of so-called "tribute" were collected monthly from the forest masters.

Employees who refused to participate in the illegal activities were intimidated. The forestry manager threatened subordinates with criminal proceedings, and his accomplice acted under the guise of an "eco-activist". He sent complaints to the SBI about alleged illegal logging, effectively reporting on those employees who refused to pay the money.

On April 30, 2026, law enforcement officers detained the scheme participants after they received another amount – 230 thousand hryvnias.

Currently, both defendants have been notified of suspicion of receiving undue benefits by an official. The article provides for punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years.

The court has already selected a pre-trial restraint for the suspects – detention with the possibility of posting bail in the amount of 4 million hryvnias for each.

Law enforcement officers continue to identify all persons who may have been involved in the operation of this scheme.

The SBI emphasized that they will continue to expose crimes related to the illegal use of natural resources and the corrupt enrichment of officials.