Ukrainka Mayor Accused of Embezzling 75 Million UAH in Land and Landscaping Scheme

Charges Against Ukrainka Mayor and Bucha Deputy Mayor

According to Главком: Kyiv regional prosecutors have charged Oleksandr Turenko, the mayor of Ukrainka, with illegally acquiring land and misappropriating over 75 million UAH in public funds. The allegations involve orchestrating schemes to take control of water reserve lands through straw individuals, enabling these plots to be registered as private property-some later legitimized via sale agreements. This case highlights ongoing concerns about corruption in local governance across Ukraine.

According to investigators, in 2025 the suspect again seized water and forest reserve lands by entering false data into official registries. By altering plot coordinates, the lands were relocated to a forested area and the coastal zone of the Stuhna River. A separate incident involves the misuse of nearly 8.5 million UAH under a community landscaping contract. During execution, over 1,500 hours of specialized equipment operation were unjustifiably added to work completion reports, which the mayor signed, leading to a transfer of more than 1.3 million UAH to the contractor.

The total value of the proceedings is estimated by investigators at over 75 million UAH. Prosecutors have asked the court for a pretrial detention measure with an alternative bail of 75 million UAH. They are also seeking the suspect’s suspension from office. Covert investigative actions in the official’s office allegedly captured conversations about preparing new schemes.

Bucha Deputy Mayor Charged

Separately, Dmytro Cheychuk, the deputy mayor of Bucha, has been charged with embezzling over 3 million UAH. These funds were allocated for repairing residential buildings damaged by shelling. Cheychuk signed agreements with a contractor for major roof repairs at five apartment blocks. These developments raise serious questions about transparency in local budget spending.

The charges against the Ukrainka mayor underscore the persistent issue of corruption at the municipal level, which can significantly undermine infrastructure development and the responsible use of public funds.

Law enforcement actions, particularly by the prosecutor’s office, signal a renewed push against corrupt practices-a crucial step toward rebuilding public trust in government institutions. Such cases may also serve as a warning to other local officials, emphasizing the need for legality and transparency in their work.

In a related development, the allegations against local officials highlight a troubling pattern of corruption in the Kyiv region. For instance, the deputy mayor of Bucha faces accusations of misappropriating funds intended for the repair of residential buildings damaged by conflict, further underscoring the urgent need for accountability in local governance.