The theft of radiators intended for schools was uncovered in the Mykolaiv region

In Pervomaisk, the repair of school heating systems using public funds has become the subject of a criminal investigation. Investigators are looking into whether material prices were artificially inflated, which could have caused the community to overpay by hundreds of thousands of hryvnias. 

This was reported by Intent, citing a ruling by the Pervomaisk City and District Court.

In Pervomaisk, Mykolaiv Oblast, a pre-trial investigation is underway into the possible embezzlement of public funds during repair work at educational institutions. 

According to the investigation, in April 2026, one of the budgetary institutions and a contractor entered into two contracts for routine repairs of heating systems. The cost of each contract was 420,000 hryvnias, and the total cost of the work was 840,000 hryvnias.

During the audit, law enforcement officials identified possible signs of inflated prices for materials. In particular, heating radiators, which accounted for the bulk of the work’s cost, may have been purchased at prices 40–50% above market value. In addition, radiator valves, according to preliminary estimates, were 200–250% more expensive than the market average.

Investigators also found that in May, the contractor received two payments of 420,000 hryvnias each for the work performed. To verify the subsequent movement of funds, potential counterparties, and the actual cost of the purchased materials, law enforcement officials filed a motion with the court requesting access to bank documents.

Ultimately, the judge granted the motion and authorized access to information regarding the flow of funds through the contractor’s account, as well as documents related to the account’s opening and the individuals authorized to conduct financial transactions. Access was granted for a period of two months. The bank data obtained should help the investigation establish all the circumstances surrounding the use of budget funds and verify possible violations during the repair work.

In May, in the Mykolaiv region, the head of two companies was placed under overnight house arrest —he is suspected of embezzling budget funds allocated for water supply repairs. Under the guise of completed work and fictitious expenses, he was able to divert money from the local budget for his own benefit.

Анна Бальчінос