Former Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Faces Trial Over Alleged Billion-Hryvnia Fraud Scheme

The Case of Mykola Solskyi

According to Главком: Mykola Solskyi, who previously served as Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, is currently in pretrial detention on suspicion of embezzlement. His case has now been sent to court. A new criminal proceeding involves the alleged misappropriation of funds from private businesses, specifically companies tied to the Hereha family and several international corporations. Solskyi is suspected of fraud and money laundering.

Solskyi held his ministerial post from 2022 to 2024. He has been held at the Khmelnytskyi pretrial detention facility for two months. Two years ago, he was first notified of suspicion in a separate case involving the illegal acquisition of nearly 2,500 hectares of state land valued at 291 million hryvnias. The High Anti-Corruption Court ordered his arrest with bail set at over 75 million hryvnias. In early 2026, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) sent that land-related case to court.

Involvement in Criminal Activity

On April 30, Solskyi participated in an online anti-corruption court hearing from his detention facility. In January 2026, he and the management of the limited liability company 'Volytia Agro' signed a contract for the delivery of 7,000 tons of corn worth 62.7 million hryvnias. The buyer was the firm 'Podillia-Agroproduct,' which is linked to the Hereha business empire. After payment, the funds were allegedly funneled to affiliated individuals.

'Volytia Agro' is controlled by Solskyi through a nominal owner, Oleksiy Olenchenko, who previously worked at the law firm 'Solskyi, Protsyk & Partners.' Olenchenko also served as director of 'Malodivytske KhPP' LLC and 'Ukraghrohold' LLC, both part of the 'Ukrainian Agrarian Holding' group. The co-founder of 'Ukrainian Agrarian Holding' was formerly Andriy Bohdan.

Olenchenko has stated that approximately 20 companies registered in his name since 2018 actually belong to Solskyi. Following the suspicion notice against Solskyi, a transfer of agribusiness assets to third parties began. Ownership changes for the cooperative 'Sorio Trade' were finalized on March 28, 2026-the same day Solskyi was arrested. Before the ownership change, the director of 'Sorio Trade' was Oleksandr Prokopets, who also manages 'Volytia Agro' LLC. Solskyi's case is being investigated under Part 5 of Article 190 (fraud) and Part 2 of Article 209 (money laundering) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Losses from the actions of 'Volytia Agro' may reach 1 billion hryvnias.

Among the international companies that suffered losses:

• Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) lost approximately $10 million;
• Cargill Incorporated lost about $0.5 million;
• Louis Dreyfus Company Ukraine LLC lost 54 million hryvnias;
• Halytska Zernova Kompania LLC lost 33.96 million hryvnias;
• Hadz-Agro LLC lost 5.02 million hryvnias.

Solskyi's declared income for 2024 was just over 24 million hryvnias. The Court of Appeals upheld his detention with bail set at 63.7 million hryvnias. Solskyi is being held in a general cell designed for six inmates, currently occupied by five prisoners. One agribusiness figure noted that 'grain traders typically arranged supply deals not with Olenchenko, but directly with Solskyi.'

Andriy Boyarchuk, director of 'Halytska Zernova Kompania' LLC, reported that 'at the end of February, we sold 3,500 tons of corn to Volytia Agro, which never paid us.'

The cases involving Mykola Solskyi are ongoing, and the public is closely awaiting the court's decisions.

Solskyi's arrest and the subsequent investigation have drawn significant public attention, as he held a key government position during a crisis in the agricultural sector. This case highlights ongoing corruption challenges in Ukraine, particularly within state governance and the agribusiness industry. The public is monitoring developments, hoping for transparency and fairness in the judicial process, which could impact trust in state institutions.

In a related context of legal battles involving public officials, a recent case highlights the judiciary's stance on corruption within local government. The court's decision to seize significant assets from a Kyiv City Council deputy underscores the ongoing efforts to combat financial misconduct in Ukraine. This sets a crucial precedent as authorities intensify their scrutiny over public figures amidst rising allegations of fraud and embezzlement.