Court Rules Dismissal of Ukrrosperedilmerez Board Member Illegal

Andriy Kostrytsya Challenges Dismissal in Court

According to Главком: Andriy Kostrytsya, a former member of the Supervisory Board of JSC 'Ukrainian Distribution Networks' (Ukrrosperedilmerez), has successfully challenged his dismissal in court. A first-instance court partially upheld his claim, ruling the order to terminate his powers invalid. However, the court rejected his demands to invalidate the order for a new selection competition and to reinstate his contract. This legal battle is part of a broader shake-up in Ukraine's state-owned energy sector. Kostrytsya links his dismissal to the 'Mindichgate' corruption scandal at Energoatom, after which the government announced a comprehensive reboot of state energy enterprises.

Statement from Andriy Kostrytsya

'Friends, I have important news today regarding my dismissal from the Supervisory Board of JSC 'Ukrainian Distribution Networks'. I have always maintained that I would defend my rights exclusively in court. Today, we achieved our first significant result. The most crucial outcome for me is that the court has invalidated the order terminating my powers as a board member.' Andriy Kostrytsya

Kostrytsya further emphasized that 'This is the best and only correct response to all the public manipulations and emotional statements previously directed at me. In a state governed by rule of law, judicial rulings, not public accusations, have the final say.'

In mid-November 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a comprehensive reboot of key state energy enterprises. Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko stated that the Cabinet of Ministers had approved an action plan to renew the supervisory boards and executive bodies of state-owned companies in the energy sector. Previously, Andriy Kostrytsya had sent a public letter to Ukraine's Minister of Energy, Denys Shmyhal.

The case highlights systemic challenges within Ukraine's state energy sector, which is undergoing reforms amidst high-profile corruption scandals. The court's decision could set a significant precedent, signaling to other supervisory board members that their legal rights can be defended through the judiciary and underscoring the role of legal institutions in combating corruption.

The ongoing legal disputes within Ukraine's energy sector highlight a significant trend of accountability and transparency, as seen in the recent case involving ex-minister Galushchenko's appeal regarding witness testimony in the Anti-Corruption Court. This case underscores the importance of judicial processes in addressing allegations of corruption that have plagued state-owned enterprises, similar to the circumstances surrounding Kostrytsya's dismissal.