Environmental prosecutors of the Zhytomyr Regional Prosecutor's Office reported suspicions against the former head of a private enterprise and an official responsible for forestry management at the State Enterprise "Hrozynske".

According to the investigation, the former director of the state enterprise "Hrozynske" made the decision to start illegal logging of trees in the forest areas entrusted to this enterprise for protection. She involved the head of the forestry and the manager of the private enterprise in the illegal activities.

The suspects hired people who were unaware of their criminal intentions and provided them with gasoline saws to carry out the logging.

Over several months in 2023, more than 2,600 trees of pine, oak, and birch were illegally cut down, causing damage to the state of over 14.6 million hryvnias.

To understand the scale of the damage: 2,600 trees is about 8 hectares of forest, equivalent to more than 11 football fields. Its natural restoration would take at least 40–60 years.

The actions of the suspects are classified under part 4 of Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – illegal logging that caused severe consequences. The penalty provides for imprisonment for a term of five to seven years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions.

The former director of the state enterprise was notified of suspicion in August 2025 under the same qualification – part 4 of Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Pre-trial investigation is being conducted by investigators of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the region with operational support from the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police of Ukraine. The full circle of individuals involved in the illegal activities and possible sale of the felled trees is being established.

Note: according to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a guilty verdict of the court.