A group of individuals are on trial for the illegal felling of over a thousand trees in the Volyn region. Among them is Roman Kolisnyk, the former acting director of the Kamin-Kashyr Forestry Enterprise. He followed in his father’s footsteps into the forestry sector; his father had previously served as the chief forester for the entire region. Now, however, the son and a dozen accomplices are implicated in a case involving losses of over 6.4 million hryvnias.
This was reported by the ‘Power of Truth’ Centre for Investigative Journalism.
Documents were falsified and the crime scene was concealed
A large-scale environmental crime took place on the territory of the Kamin-Kashirsk Forestry Enterprise, part of the state-owned enterprise “Forests of Ukraine”. In 2024, when the forest was being destroyed, Roman Kolisnyk was the enterprise’s chief forester and was acting as its director. In total, the accomplices organised a whole scheme to fell the trees.
According to law enforcement, commercial timber from oak, pine and hornbeam was documented as firewood. Moreover, the same consignment notes were used several times.
The offenders were well aware that they were committing a crime, as they attempted to conceal the felling sites. Investigators discovered that the stumps had been uprooted and burnt. The site where the illegal work took place was covered with earth.
An organized group of offenders
There are 13 defendants in the case, although the group consisted of 15 people. In addition to the forestry dynasty’s representative, the group included entrepreneurs, carriers and even an employee of the State Emergency Service (SES).
The scheme, according to investigators, was organized by a local entrepreneur. “Syla Pravdy” reports that this refers to Viktor Hordiichuk. The proceedings against him were closed because, after being exposed, he committed suicide. In his suicide note, the man confessed to everything. Searches of his family uncovered foreign currency, mobile phones, two trucks loaded with timber, and chainsaws.
The second individual not under trial previously reimbursed damages of 280,000 UAH.
If found guilty, the accused could face up to 12 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
A trail of crimes
This is not the first case involving Roman Kolisnyk. Journalists cite several examples illustrating the relationship with the law of the son of the former head of the Regional Department of Forestry and Hunting, Bohdan Kolisnyk.
In particular, in 2018, while holding the position of chief forester of the Tsuman Forestry, he and the chief engineer issued permits for logging within the boundaries of the National Natural Park “Tsuman Pushcha.” At that time, Roman Kolisnyk was fortunate – the case was closed. However, the dismissal was not based on the merits of the charges, but because of procedural violations.
Subsequently, in 2020, the official managed to avoid another punishment. This time for driving under the influence.
EcoPolitic provides regular coverage of environmental crimes in its digest. Offenses involving officials of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” are not uncommon. According to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), during 2025 alone, crimes by forestry officials caused damage to nature amounting to 546 million UAH.
