The former director of the Sloviansk Forestry Enterprise of the State Forestry Agency of Ukraine, together with five subordinates, organised a large-scale logging scheme. Based on forged documents, nearly 2,000 trees were declared "diseased" and cut down. The destruction of the forest in the frontline region caused the state losses of 14.6 million hryvnias.
The State Bureau of Investigations reported that all the case materials have already been collected and sent to court.
History of the crime
The first act of the criminal scheme was a fake survey of the sanitary condition of the forests. This work was to be carried out by DSP "Kharkivlisozahist," with which the Slovyansk Forestry Enterprise signed a number of relevant contracts in 2024. In fact, no one inspected the trees — the employees of the institution did not even come to Donetsk Oblast. However, the acts of work performed were drawn up. Of course, the information in them did not correspond to the actual condition of the trees.
The fictitious documents were then used in the forestry enterprise's "work". They became the basis for issuing logging permits to the South-Eastern Interregional Forestry and Hunting Administration.
As a result, the organized criminal group essentially received carte blanche for unjustified destruction of forest. Because of their actions, 1,800 trees were ruthlessly cut down over 50 hectares of forest land. The forest stands of Katerynivske, Kramatorske, Oleksandrivske, and Mayatske forest districts suffered. The total losses amounted to over 14.6 million UAH.
Source: dbr.gov.ua.
Comprehensive Violation of the Law
The “collection” of crimes committed by the former head of the forestry enterprise is impressive. She is charged with:
- abuse of office that caused severe consequences;
- official forgery;
- embezzlement of entrusted property, committed repeatedly during martial law,
- illegal logging in forests, committed by a group of persons in prior collusion and with severe consequences.
The other five participants in the scheme are accused of illegal logging committed by a group of persons in prior collusion, abuse of power, and official forgery.
The chief microbiologist of DSLP “Kharkivlesozakhyst” will also face charges. Due to official forgery, an indictment against this official has also been referred to court.
EcoPolitic previously reported that during 2025 the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) uncovered damages of 546 million UAH caused to the state by officials of the forestry sector.
Eco-activists have repeatedly emphasized that “sanitary fellings” can merely serve as a cover for large-scale forest destruction. For instance, regarding the limits on sanitary logging in national parks, the Coalition of Environmental and Climate Organizations (KEKC) appealed to the Prosecutor's Office regarding the actions of Ministry of Economy officials.
The environmental protection community is outraged by the government's attempt to abolish Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for clear sanitary logging of forests. Reportedly, the government intends to make this decision soon, violating procedures and without previously publishing the resolution.
