SBU notifies Firtash and top management of his companies of suspicion

SBU reported the information on its Telegram channel. 

The sanctioned oligarch Dmytro Firtash and the top management of the companies he controls are involved in organizing a fraud. Among them are the heads of the Regional Gas Company (RGC), which actually manages 20 city and regional gas companies, amounting to  70% of all gas distribution networks in Ukraine.

In addition, according to forensic economic expertise, in 2021 alone, the illegal activities of the defendants caused the state losses of more than UAH 4.2 billion. At the same time, the total amount of damage, according to preliminary estimates, may exceed UAH 18 billion in 2016 to 2022.

According to the investigation, officials of Firtash's regional gas companies embezzled more than 70% of the funds intended for the purchase of natural gas. In fact, it is a case of misappropriation of money of ordinary Ukrainians who paid utility bills. 

The scheme consisted of regional gas companies controlled by Firtash "buying" fuel from a company controlled by him. But in reality, they received no more than 30% of the paid for gas. 

The deficit created by this fraud was covered by state-owned natural gas - regional gas companies simply took the "shortfall" from the Ukrainian gas transportation system.

At the same time, the state was hardly paid for this, citing "lack of funds." According to the available data, Firtash's regional gas companies paid an average of 30% of the total cost of the gas taken to the state-owned Ukrainian gas transportation system operator.

"Later, the suspects moved the money into the shadows through a network of commercial structures controlled by the oligarch. From year to year, they increased the damage caused to the state. As part of the criminal proceedings, law enforcement officers conducted searches in the offices and residences of the organizers of the criminal scheme," the statement said.

Based on the evidence collected, Firtash, two executives of RGC LLC, the head of Ye Energy LLC and five heads of regional gas companies were served with notices of suspicion under Article 27(3), Article 191(5), Article 27(3), Article 209(3) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Five of them were served suspicion notices in absentia, as they are hiding from justice abroad. The issue of putting them on the international wanted list is currently being decided.

Background.

In March 2023, the SBU and the Economic Security Bureau conducted searches in the offices of gas distribution companies belonging to Dmytro Firtash's RGC group.

The Economic Security Bureau reported that its employees, with the operational support of the SBU, were investigating a criminal scheme of manipulation at gas distribution companies.