Kyiv's Metro Boss on the Run: Corruption Schemes That Cost the City Millions
January 16, 2026, marked one year since the former head of Kyiv's Metro, Viktor Brahinskyi, fled abroad. He escaped the country using a forged military medical commission report, a key part of a larger corruption scheme that inflicted severe financial damage on the city's budget. Brahinskyi, who led the metro from July 16, 2014, also served as a deputy in the Kyiv City Council, elected on October 25, 2020. This case highlights the ongoing challenges Ukraine faces in combating high-level corruption within its critical public infrastructure.
Financial Losses and Corrupt Deals
One of the most high-profile incidents during Brahinskyi's tenure was an accident between the Demiivska and Lybidska stations in December 2023. This accident caused total damage to the city budget exceeding 164 million hryvnias. According to Ruslan Kravchenko, officials at the Kyiv Metro enterprise were aware of the tunnel's hazardous condition beforehand but failed to take necessary measures to prevent the disaster.
As part of the investigation into Brahinskyi's corruption schemes, the director of LLC 'TD Kyivenergokomplex' was served a notice of suspicion on October 17, 2025. On October 23, 2025, the Solomianskyi District Court set a preventive measure in the form of bail amounting to 242.1 thousand hryvnias. The investigation revealed that a contract for oil procurement was signed on May 11, 2023, as part of these schemes, and losses of 61 million hryvnias were recorded during the capital repair of tunnels on the Sviatoshynsko-Brovarska line.
By fleeing abroad, Viktor Brahinskyi left behind not only financial losses for the city but also serious questions about the effectiveness of management and oversight at the Kyiv Metro enterprise. The investigation into his activities continues, with law enforcement agencies, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, actively searching for him.
This situation serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger oversight of state-owned enterprises and the prevention of corruption schemes that can inflict significant harm on public budgets and safety.
The Brahinskyi case underscores the critical importance of fighting corruption in Ukraine, particularly within state structures responsible for vital infrastructure. The lack of effective control and excessive centralization of power in such institutions can lead to serious crimes that harm not only finances but also public safety. Such incidents demand active measures from law enforcement and systemic reforms at the state level to prevent their recurrence in the future.