Kyiv Loses Millions in Property as Police Uncover Department Head's Negligence

Official Negligence Uncovered in Kyiv

According to Главком: Kyiv police have exposed the director of the city's Department of Communal Property for official negligence, resulting in the loss of municipal real estate and funds. He and eight other individuals have been formally notified of suspicion. According to law enforcement, the city lost a non-residential premises in the Solomianskyi district with an area of 575 square meters due to the official's actions.

The scheme orchestrated by the director was based on the fictitious reporting of 'significant improvements' to leased property. The tenant submitted documents claiming construction work had been done, which granted him the right to privatize the property without an auction. However, the department director failed to verify these claims and signed the paperwork. It was later discovered that most of the work had either been completed earlier by other parties or did not match the declared scope. Consequently, property valued at 7.4 million hryvnias was transferred into private ownership in violation of procedure, and the Kyiv budget was deprived of 1.3 million hryvnias in rental payments. The total losses to the community exceed 8.7 million hryvnias.

Investigation and Consequences

The department director has been notified of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which carries a potential penalty of up to five years imprisonment. The investigation is ongoing. Previously, within the same case, eight other individuals, including business leaders, appraisers, and other officials of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA), were also notified of suspicion.

In a separate but related development, the former director of the KCSA's Department of Social and Veterans Policy, Ruslan Svitlyi, will stand trial on charges of allegedly using forged documents to obtain a second-degree disability status. According to the pre-trial investigation, in 2022, the official provided his personal data to third parties for the creation of fake medical documents.

This investigation highlights ongoing issues with the management of communal property in the capital, which can undermine public trust in local government bodies.

The loss of significant funds and property during a time of economic instability could have serious consequences for the city's development. The continuation of the investigation and the pursuit of other suspects demonstrates law enforcement's stated commitment to combating corruption within the state sector. This case is part of a broader anti-corruption drive in Ukraine, which remains a key condition for international support and European integration.

The recent revelations of negligence within Kyiv's municipal departments are not isolated incidents. In a related case, the Kyiv Prosecutor's Office has concluded significant embezzlement cases that have resulted in substantial financial losses for the city. This ongoing pattern of mismanagement raises concerns about accountability and oversight in public administration.