Guilty Plea Agreement Confirmed by Supreme Anti-Corruption Court
The Supreme Anti-Corruption Court (SACC) has officially approved a guilty plea deal involving the former acting head of the Presidential Administration, linked to the unlawful appropriation of seized fuel products between March and June 2014. The convicted individual admitted guilt, agreed to compensate the state for damages, support the Ukrainian Defense Forces, and pay fines.
The misappropriation occurred through abuse of official authority, resulting in losses exceeding 817 million hryvnias to the state. The accused was charged with participation in a criminal organization and found guilty under Part 2 of Article 364 and Part 1 of Article 255 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Details of the Agreement and Sentencing
Under the terms, the convicted party committed to reimbursing 600 million hryvnias to Ukraine’s State Budget General Fund within 2.5 years following the verdict’s enactment. Additionally, 400 million hryvnias must be transferred or equivalent military equipment supplied to the Return Alive Foundation within six months. Another 100 million hryvnias are to be paid to the Sternenko Community Charity Fund within 30 days of the verdict taking effect.
As for penalties, the individual faces a primary fine of 850,000 hryvnias and an additional 17,000 hryvnias fine, along with a one-year ban on holding government positions. Property confiscation was not applied, as this sanction was introduced only in June 2020.
The SACC’s ruling finalizes the agreement, but failure to comply will prompt the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office to request annulment of the verdict and a full trial. Charges against members of the criminal group were filed in February 2024.
Separately, on September 5, 2025, the SACC confirmed a guilty plea from another defendant in the same case, sentencing them to eight years imprisonment, suspended for three years under Part 2 of Article 75 of the Criminal Code, without property confiscation. This individual has already contributed 40 million hryvnias to the Ukrainian Defense Forces and is obligated to pay 110 million hryvnias to the state budget within three years of the verdict.
This case highlights the critical role of anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine, especially regarding the misuse of state assets during times of national crisis.
The guilty plea and financial restitution set a precedent demonstrating that corruption carries serious consequences. Such rulings may bolster public confidence in Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions and judicial system.
As the legal proceedings continue, the implications of corruption within high-ranking officials remain a pressing issue in Ukraine. Recently, the detention of an associate linked to organized crime highlights the ongoing efforts to combat corruption at all levels. The developments in both cases reveal the judiciary's commitment to addressing systemic issues that have plagued the country for years.