Almost 2 million hryvnias in damages, dozens of felled trees, and clearly defined roles — this is how an organized group operated, which was uncovered by prosecutors in collaboration with police in the Kharkiv region.

According to the investigation, in May 2024, the head of one of the state forestry enterprises in the Chuhuiv district decided to turn natural resources into a source of illegal enrichment.

The perpetrator created and led an organized group, which included four of his subordinates and two acquaintances.

The group members acted according to a clear plan: they felled trees using chainsaws on the territory of the forestry in Chuhuiv. The perpetrators transported the timber using trucks.

For "cover," the individuals used a logging ticket issued with gross violations of the law.

Part of the timber was sold to local residents as firewood, while the rest was stored for further sale.

From May to December 2024, the suspects felled dozens of trees, causing damages to the state of almost 2 million hryvnias.

The organizer distributed the income among all participants in pre-agreed shares.

Under the procedural guidance of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, seven individuals have been notified of suspicion for illegal logging of trees in protective and other forest plantations, transportation, storage, and sale of illegally felled trees, which caused severe consequences, committed by an organized group (part 3 of article 28, part 4 of article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). One of them has been notified of suspicion in absentia, as he is hiding from the investigation.

The organizer has already been taken into custody. The request for a similar preventive measure regarding the other suspects is currently under consideration by the investigating judge. 

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by investigators of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police in the Kharkiv region with operational support from the Kharkiv Department of the National Police's Internal Security.

Note: according to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a court verdict.