In Mykolaiv, the case involving salmonella in children's food has taken a new turn

An investigation is underway in Mykolaiv into the possible embezzlement of public funds during the procurement of food for kindergartens. Investigators believe that chicken fillets contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms were supplied to the facilities, and the director of the municipal enterprise approved payment for them.

This was reported by Intent, citing a ruling by the Central District Court of Mykolaiv.

Investigators established that the municipal enterprise responsible for organizing food services in educational institutions provided catering services to schools and kindergartens in Mykolaiv under a contract with the city council’s Department of Education. After amendments were made, the total value of this contract amounted to over 66.1 million hryvnias. One of the requirements was the purchase of food products that comply with state standards and are accompanied by the necessary documentation certifying their quality and safety.

In August 2025, the municipal enterprise entered into a contract with Promagrotrade LLC for the supply of meat products worth nearly 19.9 million hryvnias. Part of the amount was for the purchase of frozen chicken fillets.

According to law enforcement officials, the enterprise’s acting director, Petro Vashenyaka—who was responsible for organizing procurements and the use of budget funds—failed to conduct a proper quality check on the products and entered into the contract despite the risks that the goods might not meet food safety requirements. Investigators believe that these actions created the conditions for the embezzlement of budget funds.

Court documents indicate that in October 2025, a shipment of frozen chicken fillets worth 335,1 thousand hryvnias was delivered to kindergartens in Mykolaiv. During testing, pathogenic microorganisms, including Salmonella, were allegedly detected in the product. The company transferred funds specifically for this shipment.

In addition, the investigation notes that in November 2025, three cases of moderate-to-severe intestinal infections were recorded among children aged two to five who attended Kindergarten No. 10 in Mykolaiv.

The prosecutor’s office insisted that the suspect remain under restriction of liberty, as the investigation is not yet complete. Investigators need to obtain the results of the State Audit Service’s review, conduct economic analyses, question officials from the Department of Education, representatives of the company and the supplier, and determine the final legal classification of the actions of those involved in the case. Vashenyaka himself stated in court that he was not involved in the crime. 

However, the court concluded that the suspicion is sufficiently substantiated at this stage of the investigation. As a result, the director’s restrictions on his duties were extended until July 10, 2026. Specifically, he is prohibited from leaving Mykolaiv without the permission of the investigating authorities; he must report any change of residence or employment; he must not contact witnesses or other individuals involved in the case; and he must surrender his passport to the relevant authorities for travel abroad.

As reported by Intent, the company’s director,Petro Vashenyak, wascharged last December under the article concerning attempted embezzlement of property through abuse of official position. If found guilty, he faces up to eight years in prison. He was suspended from his position in January.

Анна Бальчінос