Directors of Mykolaiv region's municipal enterprises earned millions amid criminal cases

In 2025, the salaries of directors of Mykolaiv's municipal enterprises reached millions of hryvnias - despite losses, subsidies, and criminal cases. In some MEs, the gap between the incomes of managers and employees exceeded ten times the level.

This was reported by Nikcenter.

While residents of Mykolaiv are preparing for new tariffs and savings, the incomes of the heads of the region's utility companies continue to grow rapidly. Mykola Logvinov, the head of Mykolaivoblteploenergo, declared the highest income of almost UAH 2.8 million for the year. His salary, including bonuses and allowances, increased by more than UAH 680 thousand compared to the previous year.

The second place was taken by Andriy Vetsalo, director of Mykolaivkomuntrans, with an income of UAH 1.76 million. Vasyl Telpis, the former technical director of Mykolaivvodokanal, came in third with over UAH 1.2 million.

The list of the highest-paid utilities also includes the heads of Mykolaivelectrotrans, Mykolaiv Parks, KSMEP, and SEZ Pilot. The latter company runs playgrounds, water treatment plants, and other utilities. At the same time, not a single director of a utility company from other cities in the region was included in the list of "municipal millionaires."

The journalists also noted that many of the managers with the highest salaries are involved in criminal proceedings or head enterprises under investigation. In particular, in 2026, Hryhorii Patoka, director of KSMEP, was suspended from his position on suspicion of embezzling UAH 1.2 million while replacing traffic lights. Despite this, his annual income remained at over UAH 1.1 million.

The article also mentions Oleksandr Ursolov, director of the Self-Supporting Construction Mechanization Section, whom the investigation links to a scheme to overcharge for LED street lighting. According to journalists, the company he heads received about UAH 80 million in budget funding last year, and the head himself declared more than UAH 600,000 in salary.

Among the enterprises that received significant budget subsidies, Mykolaivoblteploenergo stands out. Despite losses of almost UAH 690 million, the company received UAH 82 million in support from the city budget. In total, experts estimate that in 2025 Mykolaiv will spend about UAH 1.4 billion to support its utilities.

Journalists also analyzed the ratio of salaries of managers and employees. The largest gap was recorded in Mykolaivoblteploenergo, where the director received 12 times more than the average employee. The director of Mykolaiv Parks had a difference of almost seven times.

The Center for Public Investigations and Intent also analyzed the declarations of 48 deputies for 2025. Deputies of the Mykolaiv City Council declared over UAH 131 million in income and almost half a billion in savings, most of which they keep in cash. The declarations include dozens of properties, luxury cars, million-dollar gifts from relatives, and real estate abroad.

Анна Бальчінос