In the Zakarpattia region, a private company has been granted a 45-year lease on almost 10 hectares of state-owned forest within the Onokivska community. Instead of unspoilt nature and rare wildlife, there are now felled trees, bonfire sites, quad bike races and loud concerts during quiet hours. Experts consider the transfer of the forest to be illegal, whilst investigators link the company to sitting MPs. It is noteworthy that, following allegations by the State Bureau of Investigation against the former director, foresters are attempting to reclaim the plot.
This was reported by the publication ‘Zakarpattia Online’.
An amusement park instead of a forest
It has emerged that the process of transferring the plot began with an application by “Uzhhorod Park” Ltd to the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration. The company requested approval for long-term paid use of 9.5 hectares within the territory of the Uzhhorod Forest District.
The company justified this by stating it was necessary for "the comfortable stay of citizens in the forest zone, arrangement of pavilions, pathways, a children's playground, temporary and protective structures for recreation and relaxation."
It is surprising that, with such plans, the company also undertook not to cause harm to the trees, plants, and soils. In reality – by no means. Now, the hotel's webpage features animal enclosures, quad biking, and loud events even during the quiet season. Moreover, the foresters not only approved the improvement project, including designated campfire spots, but also issued felling tickets themselves.
Illegality of the permits
Experts are convinced that both the approval and the felling permits issued by the foresters are illegal.
"According to the requirements for issuing a felling ticket, there must be proper evidence of the need for fellings and work not related to forestry management, namely the felling of hazardous trees. But the forest user did not provide sufficient documentation," noted legal consultant of NGO “Forest Initiatives and Society” Nataliia Kaplia.
Back in April, NGO “FIS” submitted an appeal regarding illegal logging to the State Environmental Inspectorate in Zakarpattia region. Even as of June 15, there was no response.
Displacement of rare species
Structurally, this plot was a natural pre-mountain oak forest. There was ample shade and deadwood for a number of species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine to thrive. These include the white-backed woodpecker, green woodpecker (which has not been seen since logging began), the stag beetle, the leaf beetle, and the violet carpenter bee.
Experts also tried to protect this area. In particular, in 2022, ecologist of NGO “Ecosphere” Oksana Stankevych-Volosyanchuk prepared a scientific justification for the management of the Uzhhorod Forestry District of the “Carpathian Forest Office” branch of SE “Forests of Ukraine,” proposing to establish a site of special conservation value there. However, the researcher was refused, and within a year, the forest was handed over for what is effectively an amusement park.
At present, rare species either do not appear in the area at all or are at risk of extinction. Quad-bike racing causes the most damage.
"Literally within just a few months, the wheels of ATVs have turned forest roads into ruts, severely damaging the forest floor, soil, and tree roots. In a few years, we will observe a rapid weakening and dieback of trees growing along these roads. And it is precisely along these roads that orchids grow. These plants are also at risk of destruction,” comments Oksana Stankevych-Volosyanchuk.
Questionable figures
According to "Zakarpattia Online," the lease was signed on the forestry side by Ivan Barna, head of the Uzhhorod District Forestry. He is a member of the Zakarpattia Regional Council representing Ihor Palytsia’s political party. He is the very official who turned a blind eye to the recreation complex "Dubky" built on seized forest land, for which he was served a notice of suspicion by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) in February 2026.
Ironically, foresters are now seeking in court to terminate the lease with "Uzhhorod Park" due to improper land use. They want to return the plot in a “condition suitable for forestry.”
The damaged area is located next to the Bristol Park Hotel. According to journalist Mykhailo Tkachenko, the complex belongs to Member of Parliament Andriy Stikharskyi. Mykola Tyshchenko may also be linked to the hotel.
Andriy Stikharskyi is associated with LLC "Uzhhorod Park" as well as the companies "Bristol Prime" and "Hotel-Bristol" via individuals from the circle of Valeriy Kamayev. The MP made use of property owned by Heorhii Valeriyovych Kamayev, as indicated in his personal declarations. According to counterparty databases, including YouControl, both Heorhii Kamayev and Valeriy Kamayev are linked to the developer company "Status Group." In turn, the parliamentarian served as director of this company for 15 years.
EcoPolitic previously reported that in the Zhytomyr region, people have been protesting against systematic logging. Unscrupulous tenants are suspected of involvement in the clear-cuts.
