Millions stolen in Mykolaiv in fake energy protection scheme

The Security Service of Ukraine in Mykolaiv region is investigating a scheme to misappropriate funds from the state budget reserve fund intended to protect critical energy infrastructure. It is a case of embezzlement of UAH 3.2 million.

This became known from the relevant court ruling.

According to the investigation, Ikad LLC, a company founded only two months before the agreement was signed, was involved in the transaction. In September 2023, the Infrastructure Department of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration entered into a direct contract with Ikad for physical protection services for energy facilities, which included, among other things, the delivery and filling of sand.

The investigation found that most of the substations had already been equipped by other companies free of charge and did not require additional work. Nevertheless, the organizer of the scheme, wearing the Ikadu seal, entered false information in the acts of work performed.

In November-December 2023, fictitious acts were signed on the alleged supply of sand and work in the amount of UAH 3.2 million, which were then transferred to the accounts of accomplices.

According to the case file, the director of Ikad LLC acted as an accomplice by providing a seal and signature, while his friend acted as an organizer, coordinating the conclusion of the contract and the flow of funds.

On August 19, 2025, both men were notified of suspicion. The organizer and director of the company are suspected of embezzlement on a large scale. The investigation is ongoing.

Earlier, in Kherson, the court refused to return the indictment in the case of embezzlement of budget funds of one of the departments. Three defendants and two commercial companies are suspected of forgery and misappropriation of public funds.

The investigation accuses the three people of organizing criminal schemes. According to the indictment, the funds intended for the purchase of goods for the needs of the Department of Civil Defense and Defense Work of the Kherson Regional State Administration were transferred to the accounts of commercial companies, but the service was never provided. The ruling states that under the contract with Ecotransservice-21 LLC, UAH 7,920,609 was damaged, and under the contract with Zolotyi Klevier LLC, UAH 3,940,126 was damaged.

Катерина Глушко