NABU and SAP expose embezzlement under “green” tariff scheme: Former Presidential Administration official among suspects

According to Ukrinform, this was reported by NABU.

It is noted that nine people were notified of the suspicion, including the former deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and former member of the supervisory board of Naftogaz of Ukraine, his brother, the owner of a network of Ukrainian and foreign companies, a trusted person of a former high-ranking official, managers and employees of controlled enterprises, as well as the former commercial director of JSC Zaporizhzhiaoblenergo.

According to the investigation, in 2019-2020, the former deputy of the Donetsk Regional Council, together with his brother, concentrated control over a number of enterprises that produced electricity from alternative sources.

Thus, in the Vasylivskyi district of the Zaporizhzhia region, they built solar power plants with a total capacity of about 60 MW and signed agreements with the state-owned company Guaranteed Buyer to sell electricity at a green tariff.

"After the start of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation and the occupation of part of the Zaporizhzhia region, the solar power plants lost connection with the United Energy System of Ukraine, suffered damage, and the personnel were evacuated. Despite this, the enterprises controlled by the suspects continued to declare electricity production and receive payment for it at the “green” tariff, although in fact no electricity was supplied to the Ukrainian power system," the bureau noted.

The investigation established that the reports contained knowingly false data on the volume of generation and technical readiness of the stations, in particular during periods of complete power outages.

According to NABU, the funds received were subsequently withdrawn through affiliated companies.

Within the framework of international legal assistance, NABU detectives, with the assistance of law enforcement agencies in Germany and Austria, conducted searches at the places of residence of certain individuals involved in the case.

As noted by NABU, the case is classified under Part 5 of Article 191 and Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The total amount of damage is UAH 141.3 million.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, and all the circumstances of the crime and the circle of persons involved are being established.

The bureau also noted that the investigation was initiated based on the materials of a journalistic investigation by Bihus.Info.

As noted by the Anti-Corruption Center on Telegram, the case concerns former OP head Rostislav Shurma.

As reported by Ukrinform, in September 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Shurma from the position of deputy head of the OP.

Photo: NABU