In Odesa, a contractor was charged in connection with the renovation of a kindergarten

While setting up a shelter at one of Odessa’s kindergartens, law enforcement officials discovered a possible overpricing of the work. According to investigators, the documents contained information that did not correspond to the actual quantities and specifications of the equipment.

The Center for Public Investigations uncovered the details of the case.

As stated in the court ruling, on June 27, 2025, Kindergarten No. 45, the Municipal Enterprise “Center for Financing and Economic Activities of Educational Institutions in the Peresypsky District of Odessa,” and a contractor entered into a contract for the major renovation of the basement and the construction of a shelter. The total cost of the work was 2.3 million hryvnias.

In August, 379,600 hryvnias were transferred to the contractor, and in November—another 1.94 million hryvnias. Investigators link potential violations specifically to the second payment. According to law enforcement officials, false information was included in Certificate of Completion No. 2, resulting in the amount being overstated by more than 318,000 hryvnias. Specifically, the cost of metal handrails, according to the investigation, was overstated by 90,500 hryvnias.

Law enforcement officials also claim that an additional 9,100 hryvnias was overcharged in the payments for faucets. The largest amount—218,900 hryvnias—relates to a site hoist. In the documents, it was valued at 260,500 hryvnias, while the final resource statement listed 246,000 hryvnias. Investigators also pointed out that the specifications of the installed equipment did not match those in the design and cost estimate documentation.

After the act was signed, the entire amount was transferred to the contractor. Investigators believe that as a result, the Odesa community may have suffered losses of over 318,000 hryvnias. The prosecutor requested that the suspect be placed under personal recognizance. 

Additionally, in Odesa, six years after the renovation of a sports complex, there are suspicions of embezzlement. Investigators are gathering documents to determine whether budget funds were indeed used for their intended purpose and whether the work performed corresponds to what the state paid for. 

Анна Бальчінос