The Security Service, in conjunction with the National Police, has foiled a scheme to embezzle public funds allocated to strengthen the engineering protection of energy infrastructure facilities in the Kharkiv region.

Two officials from commercial organisations have been notified of their status as suspects for misappropriating public funds whilst carrying out work on the construction of a protection system for the Zmiiv Thermal Power Station.

The investigation revealed that those involved are a 54-year-old site manager at one of the industrial enterprises in the energy sector, and a 60-year-old director of a private contracting company that had been engaged to carry out the project.

It has been established that in December 2024, a contract was signed between the thermal power station and the contractor for work to protect the TPP, the total value of which amounted to over UAH 245 million.

The perpetrators entered false information into the technical documentation and arranged for the use of concrete mix that did not meet the established design and technical requirements.

As a result of these actions, the state budget suffered losses amounting to UAH 8.1 mln (USD 180,000).

A forensic construction and technical examination initiated by the SSU confirmed the unlawful activity and established the extent of the losses incurred by the state.

Following 11 authorised searches of the suspects’ homes and company premises, the law enforcement seized financial documentation, technical materials and other evidence of the offence.

On the basis of the evidence, both individuals have been served with notices of suspicion under Article 191.5 of the CCU (misappropriation of another person’s property through abuse of official position).

They face up to 12 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Investigative and operational measures are ongoing to bring other persons involved in the scheme to justice.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in the Kharkiv region and investigators from the National Police, under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.