Dec. 23, 2025, 11:07 a.m.
(ILLUSTRATION: Intent)
In Odesa region, where most communities still lack shelters to protect themselves from air attacks, local budgets spent UAH 1.4 billion on the construction, repair and equipping of such shelters in 2025.
However, an analysis of procurement conducted by Intent shows that a significant portion of the contracts went to firms with dubious reputations, minimal competition, or criminal records, and only a small portion was awarded through a tender.
Berezivkaagroshlyakhbud LLC received the most money - UAH 239.4 million for three contracts. The orders included the construction of shelters at Podilsk schools No. 3 and No. 9 and the arrangement of a shelter at Kodyma lyceum No. 1. In most cases, the company was the only participant in open bidding with special conditions, so it won without any real competition. According to YouControl, the ultimate beneficiary of the company is a deputy of the Odesa Regional Council, Prince Khachatryan.
The second place in the ranking in terms of the amount of contracts is held by Euro-Style Group LLC with contracts worth 171.8 million. This company has already been involved in criminal proceedings, in particular in cases of possible misappropriation of funds during the repair of the shelter at Odesa School No. 91 and tax evasion through fictitious transactions.
Bud-Marka LLC was awarded two contracts totaling UAH 139.6 million for the construction of a shelter at Lyceum No. 1 in Lyman. The first tender was held through a municipal procurement organization with two bidders, but due to disputes over the security of the bids, it was canceled, and the second contract was signed without competition.
The top contractors also include:
Procurement without the use of the electronic procurement system means signing a direct contract with a supplier without a competitive procedure (bidding) in Prozorro. This is allowed under martial law for certain cases or for small amounts, where the customer chooses the supplier and then must publish a report on the contract on the Prozorro portal. In total, 156 direct contracts were concluded in the region in 2025 for a total of UAH 206.3 million.
Most procurements were conducted as open tenders with special features, where the timeframe is shortened and there are virtually no auctions, which often results in a single bidder winning, not the best offer. This format speeds up the process, but significantly reduces competition and increases the risk of overpricing.
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