An investigation into a corruption scheme at the Port of Pivdennyi is underway in the Odesa region

The investigation into a price-gouging scheme involving procurement for the Port of Pivdennyi has been ongoing for over a year and a half. Company representatives have requested the return of the seized property.

This was reported by Intent, citing a ruling by the Khadzhibey District Court of Odesa. 

According to the Economic Security Bureau, officials at the state-owned enterprise “MIP Pivdennyi,” acting in collusion, devised a scheme to embezzle funds from the state-owned enterprise through the procurement of railway equipment, for which they inflated the prices. A supply contract was signed with “TAKO” Production and Commercial Enterprise LLC.

As part of the investigation, in November 2025, detectives conducted searches of the company’s premises in Dnipro. During the search, law enforcement officers seized documents related to the supply of products to the “Pivdennyi” port, accounting records, contracts with counterparties, seals, stamps, logbooks, as well as a Lenovo all-in-one computer and a hard drive. 

Company representatives filed a motion with the court to lift the seizure. They argued that the prolonged seizure of documents and equipment was negatively affecting the company’s operations, and that some of the property had no evidentiary value for the criminal proceedings.

However, the investigators objected to this motion. According to them, an analysis of the computer equipment had already revealed information that could be used as evidence. In addition, forensic economic analyses of the seized documents have been ordered but are not yet complete. Company representatives were also given the opportunity to make copies of the necessary documents for their ongoing business operations.

As reported by Intent, the amount of the overpayment exceeded 7 million hryvnias. Law enforcement officials believe that the head of the private company coordinated the group’s actions, maintained contacts with officials at the state-owned enterprise, and devised mechanisms to inflate the cost of procurements.

As a result, the company’s attorney’s motion was denied, and the seizure of documents, equipment, and other confiscated items remained in effect.

Also in Odesa, participants in a scheme to embezzle funds during the repair of the port’s railway infrastructure will stand trial. According to the investigation, the state-owned enterprise suffered losses of nearly 5 million hryvnias due to inflated material costs and forged documents.

Анна Бальчінос