Scheme on rails: 5 million worth of fuel thieves' property seized in Mykolaiv region

A case against 18 members of an organized group that stole diesel fuel from Ukrzaliznytsia locomotives has been brought to court in Mykolaiv region. The company's losses amounted to almost half a million hryvnias, and the property of the accused was seized.

This was reported by the press service of the Mykolaiv Regional Prosecutor's Office.

The Mykolaiv Regional Prosecutor's Office has sent to court an indictment against 18 people suspected of embezzling diesel fuel from diesel locomotives at the Mykolaiv locomotive depot of Ukrzaliznytsia.

According to the investigation, two organizers - residents of Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad regions - created a criminal scheme involving three other acquaintances and thirteen drivers.

Using their knowledge of train schedules and internal procedures, the criminals stole up to 600 liters of diesel fuel from each locomotive, and concealed the shortage by falsifying technical documentation. The fuel was poured into canisters at stops, taken to storage facilities and subsequently sold through proxies. In order to avoid suspicion, they communicated in closed chats, used walkie-talkies and night vision devices.

Between April and November 2024, law enforcement officers documented 23 episodes of thefts worth almost UAH 500,000. Some of the participants were detained red-handed while draining fuel at a station in the Kirovohrad region. The property of the accused was seized for more than UAH 5 million. All defendants face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation.

In May, SBI officers uncovered a scheme to steal fuel intended for the Armed Forces: officials were siphoning off diesel and selling it to local farmers at reduced prices. The deal involved the head of the fuel storage department of a military unit in Mykolaiv region and his subordinate, who regularly sold army fuel.

Since the beginning of 2025, according to preliminary estimates, the offenders have managed to sell more than 13 thousand liters of fuel. On May 7, they were caught red-handed while receiving UAH 125,000 for a new batch of 5,000 liters.

Анна Бальчінос