yesterday at 12:29
,Germany
The State Bureau of Investigation has reported suspicion against the head of a forestry branch of the state enterprise "Forests of Ukraine" in the Cherkasy region. This pertains to the subdivision of the "Central Forestry Office." According to the investigation, the official forced subordinates to pay a monthly "percentage" from timber harvesting under the threat of dismissal.
As claimed by the SBI, in May 2025, during a staff meeting, the head of the forestry branch openly announced the "rules": employees were required to hand over a portion of the income from harvesting. According to the investigation, the pressure was accompanied by threats of dismissal for those who refused to participate in the scheme.
According to the case materials, the payment amount was 5% of the actual volume of harvesting, multiplied by one thousand. The funds were to be transferred monthly by the 15th of each month to the head or his deputy.
The investigation began following a complaint from one of the subordinates who refused to participate in the scheme. In July, according to the SBI, the first instances of money transfers were documented, and in August, the head of the forestry branch was detained while receiving the second part of the "tribute" amounting to 30,000 UAH.
The official's actions are classified under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — receiving unlawful benefits in a large amount, by prior conspiracy of a group of persons. The penalty under this article provides for up to 10 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The SBI also reminds that during the war, law enforcement uncovered a number of illegal schemes in the state forestry sector, which, according to their data, caused damages of 351 million UAH.
