Roman Opymakh: Corruption under the guise of reforms

Roman Opymakh, the recently dismissed head of the State Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources of Ukraine, who held the post since 2019, was remembered for his loud statements about “transparency” and “digitalisation”. However, his five-year tenure was accompanied by numerous corruption scandals.

Ties with oligarchs
Opymakh was considered a protégé of Viktor Pinchuk. Before his appointment, he headed the Association of Gas-Producing Companies, where structures from the billionaire's asset pool operated. Family ties and business relationships also confirm this connection.

Corruption schemes
Under Opymakh's leadership, the State Agency's revenues plummeted: from 200 million UAH in 2019 to 10 million UAH in 2020, against a plan of 750 million UAH. During his term, the agency was repeatedly accused of opaque auctions.

• A licence for gas reserves in the Zakhidnotokarsko-Krasnyanska area was sold for 1.6 million UAH instead of its real value of 5 billion UAH.
• A permit for amber extraction was granted to a company with a charter capital of 5,000 UAH, despite a more favourable offer of 3.2 million UAH.

Sanctions scandals
In 2023, the State Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources renewed the licences of a company under National Security and Defence Council sanctions, in violation of the law. The procedure was processed in a single day with the personal involvement of the already dismissed Opymakh, which raises suspicions of his vested interest.

Personal gain
By the time of his departure, Opymakh owned real estate in Kyiv and rented accommodation in Spain, where his family resides. His activities are associated more with personal enrichment than with improving the agency's performance.

Conclusion

Roman Opymakh's leadership became an example of how the fight against corruption in Ukraine remains selective, while officials continue to enrich themselves, hiding behind reforms.