Investigation Into UAH 160 Million Land Deal Completed by Ukraine's NABU and SAP

Probe Concludes Into Alleged Land Seizure Scheme

According to НАБУ: Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) have wrapped up their pre-trial investigation into the alleged taking and laundering of 18 hectares of state-owned land valued at over UAH 160 million. The case dates back to spring 2021, when a corporate feud broke out between a former Party of Regions lawmaker and a Kyiv-based real estate developer.

During that dispute, officials at the Kyiv regional office of the State Geocadastre unlawfully amended the national land registry, granting access to more than 150 hectares of land that had been leased to a company under the developer's control. The company's director then relinquished portions of the leased area in favor of nine preselected individuals. Acting on an order from the acting head of the Geocadastre office, those nine people acquired ownership of nine separate plots totaling 18 hectares.

Those parcels were subsequently sold under sham agreements to three firms connected to the developer. The conflict with the former lawmaker was later resolved through a memorandum outlining joint use of the land. In September 2021, a representative of the ex-parliamentarian became a beneficiary of the companies that owned the plots.

Land Governance Under Scrutiny

The findings point to serious breaches in land administration and possible official corruption. This case reflects broader governance challenges Ukraine faces in rooting out graft, particularly in the distribution of land resources. Disputes between political figures and business interests can foster abuse that harms state and public interests, and the outcome of this probe may help improve land management and bolster confidence in state institutions.