2 Jun 2026
,Ukraine
The recent exposure of a corruption scheme at SE "Forests of Ukraine" serves as yet another reminder of the serious issues plaguing Ukraine's forestry sector. Allegations of abuse in electronic timber accounting, involving top officials, cast doubt on the effectiveness of existing control mechanisms and underscore the urgent need for reforms.
At the center of the scandal are the director of SE "Forests of Ukraine," Yuriy Bolokhovets, and the head of the Capital Forestry Office, Viktor Sakhniuk. According to the investigation, they systematically interfered with the electronic timber accounting system. Their actions threaten not only state finances but also the safe management of forest resources, which are a critical component of the country’s ecological stability.
One of the main schemes used by the perpetrators involved unauthorized interference in the electronic system, allowing the reuse of tags during the transportation of unaccounted timber. This enabled not only the falsification of documents but also the illegal sale of forest products through opaque channels. Such actions undermine trust in state institutions and result in significant budget losses.
Experts point out that the very existence of such schemes indicates serious flaws in the organizational structure of SE "Forests of Ukraine" and the need for modernization of the management system. The environmental consequences of these actions are also hard to overlook, as unregulated logging harms natural ecosystems and threatens the region’s flora and fauna.
As part of criminal case No. 42024000000000335, a legal investigation is underway under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, including misappropriation of funds, document forgery, and unauthorized interference in systems. This investigation should serve as an example of the state’s determination to combat corruption, while also highlighting the need to implement effective control mechanisms in the future.
The findings of the investigation raise questions about the feasibility of reforming the entire industry. Automation tools and electronic accounting systems must be integrated without human intervention to minimize the potential for fraud. Additionally, independent state oversight should be strengthened, and public institutions should be involved in monitoring forest use.
Similar scandals have repeatedly been the subject of public discussion, but this time the situation is gaining new momentum. The current state of affairs demands adequate responses, not only to restore trust but also to preserve Ukraine’s natural resources for future generations.
