Losses amounting to 115 million: SBU takes interest in head of grain elevators in occupied Kherson region

Law enforcement officers have received permission to conduct a special pre-trial investigation against a resident of Kherson region who organized the operation of elevators in favor of Russia during the occupation. According to the investigation, his actions caused Ukraine more than UAH 115 million in losses and helped supply the Russian army.

This is evidenced by the decision of the Central District Court of Mykolaiv.

SBU investigators in Kherson region served a notice of suspicion to a resident of the region who actively cooperated with the Russian administration during the occupation and organized the operation of elevators in the interests of the aggressor country. According to the investigation, his actions caused material damage to the state in excess of UAH 115 million.

According to the investigation, in May 2022, the man came to work for the occupiers to restore the operation of agricultural enterprises. He arrived at the territory of the Velykolepetisky Elevator branch of the State Enterprise in Velyka Lepetikha and held a meeting of employees, forcing them to work under Russian law under threat.

Under his leadership, the processing, storage, loading and transportation of grain products were organized, and salaries were paid in Russian currency.

The man also provided logistical support for military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces on the territory of the elevator, including refueling and maintenance of fuel and lubricants, in effect supporting Russia's military actions against Ukraine.

Later, he became the head of the illegally created State Unitary Enterprise "Velykolepetikha Elevator". He continued his management activities and incorporated the elevator into the agrarian system of the occupying country. He also did the same at the Bratolyubivskyi Elevator branch. He organized the work of the staff in favor of the occupiers and transferred the property of the enterprise to an illegally created structure.

As a result, the state suffered material damage: more than UAH 5.3 million at the Velykolepetskyi elevator and more than UAH 110 million at the Bratolyubivskyi elevator.

According to the Myrotvorets service, the person in question is Serhiy Gudzovatyi, who was born on April 8, 1975, in the village of Chervonoblahodatne, Kherson Oblast.

Investigators filed a petition with the court for a special pre-trial investigation. The judge granted the request of law enforcement officers. In January 2026, the SBU notified Serhiy Gudzovatyi in absentia of suspicion of aiding the enemy.

In 2025, more than 2 million tons of grain crops were exported from the TOT of Ukraine. The main volumes were in the second half of the year - about 1.4 million tons. Ukrainian intelligence recorded the delivery of agricultural products to Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, and in small volumes - even to some countries in the Balkan region.

Анна Бальчінос