Prosecutors of the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office of Poltava region, together with police investigators and criminal investigation operatives, uncovered an organized group whose members were illegally cutting down valuable trees in the forest belts and the landscape reserve "Lyznyana Balka." The environmental damage amounts to over 3.4 million hryvnias.

In the fall of 2024, a resident of the Poltava district organized a group, which included five local residents. Without logging tickets or any other permits, the group members cut down dozens of valuable trees of various species – "Oak," "Acacia," "Maple." Subsequently, the illegally felled timber was sold for personal enrichment.

During searches at the residences of the group members, chainsaws, tires, chains, and other material evidence were seized.  

Currently, the organizer and his accomplices have been notified of suspicion under parts 2, 3 of Article 27, part 3 of Article 28, part 4 of Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal logging of trees in protective forest plantations, on the territory of the nature reserve fund, as well as transportation, storage, and sale of illegally felled trees).

The issue of choosing preventive measures for the suspects is being resolved. 

The procedural leadership in the criminal proceedings is carried out by prosecutors of the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office of Poltava region, with investigative actions and operational support provided by the Main Investigation Department of the National Police and the Criminal Investigation Department in Poltava region.

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 guilty verdict of the court.