Collusion, MP's Family Ties, and 600 Million: Who Manages State Construction in Mykolaiv Region

During the full-scale war in Mykolaiv region, a group of contractors was formed that local officials began to entrust with expensive construction work, primarily the construction of shelters in schools. Some of these companies are associated with a member of the Mykolaiv Regional Council.

This was reported by Nikcenter.

A total of 1608 construction contracts in the north of Mykolaiv region were recorded in Prozorro in 2022-2025. The total expected cost of the works is almost UAH 1.44 billion. The full-scale war has significantly affected the distribution of contracts: ten of the 25 most expensive projects involve the construction or overhaul of school shelters.

Only five contractors shared half of this market: Hospodar-2 LLC, Demsei PE, Golnest LLC, First Ukrainian Construction LLC, and Ukrbudservice & Co. At least three of them are connected to each other through the common environment of MP Kukuruza.

In particular, Hospodar-2 LLC is owned by Petro Pestov, a businessman who is associated with Kukurusa. In 2025 , the Antimonopoly Committee proved Pestov's collusion with another businessman, Volodymyr Podolian, owner of Alfa Construction Company LLC. The case concerns two tenders in 2023 and 2024, which were held by the Mykolaiv Housing and Maintenance Department and the Syniukhino-Brid village council.

Both companies were fined for concerted actions that distorted the bidding results. Formally, the companies were supposed to be suspended from participating in procurement for three years, but the suspects continue to participate in tenders through other legal entities.

At the same time, budget managers often choose contractors without competition. For example, Holnest LLC has received orders for more than UAH 160 million in two years, most of them without auctions. During the full-scale war, the company built shelters in schools in the Voznesensk district, where a deputy from the Nash Krai party, the same party to which Kukuruza belongs, is the head of the council.

Registered in Kyiv, but with a production base in Pervomaisk, First Ukrainian Construction LLC has received government contracts worth more than UAH 230 million since the fall of 2023, mostly in Voznesensk district. Its owner, Serhiy Tkachenko, is a realtor from Chornomorsk, and his wife is the sister of Kukuruza's wife. The two women run a joint business selling luxury optics. The company is involved in construction projects with inflated prices for materials.

Most companies lease equipment from Pervomaisk Iron and Steel Works, where Kukuruga himself owns a controlling stake. And three of the five largest contractors in Pervomaisk and Voznesensk districts have direct ties to him or his entourage.

In Pervomaisk, firms associated with the MP were also actively awarded contracts for construction and reconstruction, primarily of school shelters, medical facilities, and social infrastructure. Some of them performed the work at inflated prices or with signs of fake competition.

In addition, the media found that Elektrozvjazyokmontazh LLC, which leases equipment to companies from the MP's group, is partially owned by a Russian citizen registered in Moscow. Thus, part of the budget funds could have ended up in the hands of Russians.

The journalists noted that during the full-scale war, the companies managed to receive more than 600 million hryvnias from the budget. However, such successes have been reported only in Voznesensk and neighboring Pervomaisk districts.

Projects to restore water supply and strengthen defense are also underway in Mykolaiv region. At the same time, many contracts have been awarded without open tenders, and the contractors include firms associated with budget embezzlement investigations.

Анна Бальчінос