A fraudulent employment scheme has been uncovered in the state forestry sector. Anti-corruption sources claim that senior officials in the sector are involved in the scheme. The scheme itself is fairly primitive and classic. People employed on paper do not even turn up for work, yet they receive salaries, bonuses and exemption from mobilisation.
This was reported by the publication StopCor, citing the Telegram channel ‘Vykryvach’.
Citing its own sources, the publication reports that the State Bureau of Investigations has carried out searches at the offices of the sector’s leadership. During the searches, a scheme involving so-called “snowdrops” – fictitiously employed individuals – was allegedly uncovered.
According to “Vykryvach”, the list of key figures in the case includes Viktor Smal, head of the State Forestry Agency, and Yuriy Bolokhovets, former head of the state-owned enterprise “Forests of Ukraine”.
Sources allegedly attribute the leading role to them – organising the entire scheme and bearing responsibility for specific processes. According to anti-corruption activists, the State Bureau of Investigations is continuing its work on documenting the incidents and preparing charges.
No statements have yet been issued by the State Bureau of Investigations or the suspects in open sources.
EcoPolitica previously reported that on July 1, the head of the State Forestry Agency of Ukraine, Viktor Smal, was suspended from his position. Disciplinary proceedings are ongoing against him.
The activities of SE “Forests of Ukraine” have also drawn the attention of the State Audit Service. The agency claims that the state enterprise employs a scheme of delegating forestry tasks to dubious contractors. During 2025, contracts worth 10 billion UAH were concluded.
