How money is being stolen from the Kyiv Metro

The National Police of Ukraine in Kyiv are investigating the possible misappropriation of budget funds during the major overhaul of tunnels on the Sviatoshynsko-Brovarska metro line. 

The deputy chief engineer of the limited liability company "KB Teploenergoavtomatika", the company that carried out the work on behalf of the state enterprise "Kyiv Metro", has come under suspicion. According to the investigation's version, the budget suffered damages of UAH 61.1 million due to inflated prices for cable and wire products.

The contract for the first stage of the major overhaul was signed in December 2022, with the contract value amounting to UAH 1.58 billion. The investigation established that the products purchased for the repairs were two to three times more expensive than their market value. For instance, according to expert findings, the cost of cable was inflated from UAH 2.45 million to UAH 8.9 million per kilometre.

The suspect, according to the investigation, organised a scheme to inflate prices, leveraging connections with the owners of "KB Teploenergoavtomatika". He also exerted influence on the company's management to conclude a contract with the supplier "Tamerline". The investigation revealed that funds returned by the supplier were used to "extract" money into the shadow sector.

In December 2024, the suspect was charged under Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The Podilskyi District Court set bail in the amount of UAH 454,200. Additionally, as part of this investigation, law enforcement agencies are examining potential violations in other Kyiv Metro projects.

Furthermore, the National Police are examining suspicions of misappropriation of funds during the construction of a section of the Syretsko-Pecherska line, as well as during the procurement of cable and wire products for the metro in 2024.

 Investigations are also ongoing regarding other contractors associated with the Kyiv Metro, such as the limited liability companies "Enerhodarbudmechanizatsiia" and "Tekhpromservice".