Illegal logging is one of the most common crimes against Ukrainian nature. The involvement of forestry officials in these crimes is strikingly systematic. Recently, three more cases of forest destruction have come to light, in which those responsible were the very people who were supposed to protect these forests.
These cases were reported by the State Bureau of Investigations.
Zhytomyr region
In the spring of 2025, a "classic" tree felling scheme was in operation here, in which foresters allowed illegal felling, and an entrepreneur-accomplice was involved in the sale of timber. Two employees of the Baranivka Forestry Department of the Capital Forest Office branch of the State Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine" were involved in the scheme. They decided which trees to destroy and were responsible for organizing the logging.
Source: dbr.gov.ua.
This criminal scheme caused state losses exceeding 1.3 million UAH. Two forestry workers, a private entrepreneur, and his employee have been charged. They face up to seven years in prison for aiding and abetting illegal logging, transportation, storage, and sale of illegally harvested timber, which resulted in severe consequences.
Rivne region
The former head of the Dubno Forestry Enterprise of SE "Forests of Ukraine" has already changed professions and moved into local self-government. However, while still in charge of the forestry unit, he managed to leave a mark through illegal logging activities. He "worked" as previous offenders did, collaborating with a known entrepreneur. In the businessman's interests, the official organized the illegal sale of raw timber.
The man, who is now deputy head of the Dubno District Council, faces up to six years in prison. His actions caused the state losses of more than 2.7 million UAH. The pre-trial investigation is over; the former official's property and accounts have been seized. His crime is qualified as abuse of office resulting in grave consequences.
Zakarpattia region
Here, the crime was also committed by an official in a managerial position – the former head of the Berehove Forestry Division. He was found to have organized the logging and sale of valuable oak timber. Without issuing felling permits, the official gave illegal orders to cut down 35 oaks. The timber was sold to outside parties.
The official’s actions caused the state 1.6 million UAH in damages, including losses from illegal logging itself (1.38 million UAH) and from the illegal sale of raw material (250,000 UAH).
Due to abuse of office and exceeding authority with serious consequences, the individual faces up to ten years in prison.
The total losses from forestry officials’ crimes during 2025 alone amounted to 546 million UAH. EcoPolitic previously reported that the largest losses to the state were caused by illegal timber sales, violations during auctions, and unauthorized sanitary logging.
