13 people suspected of stealing 65 million hryvnia worth of gas in Dnipropetrovsk region

Large-scale resource extraction scheme uncovered

Law enforcement agencies in Dnipro district documented the activities of an organised criminal group that systematically stole natural gas. As a result of the investigation, 13 individuals were charged. The total value of the illegally appropriated resource exceeds 65 million hryvnia.

Mechanism for concealing consumption volumes

According to the investigation materials, the criminal activity took place at the commercial metering point of one of the local enterprises located in the settlement of Slobodianske. To avoid control and conceal the actual volumes of methane consumed from the main gas pipeline, the group members made unauthorised changes to the data in automated metering systems.

Timeline and scale of damages

The scheme operated over a prolonged period — from January 2025 to March 2026. During this time, investigators believe the suspects managed to illegally extract more than 3.4 million cubic metres of natural gas. The economic damage from these actions is estimated at over 65 million hryvnia.

Circle of suspects

The group included the management and staff of the enterprise where the resource was extracted. Among the suspects are the company owner, heads of various business units, as well as regular employees: operators, mechanics, and drivers. The investigation is currently determining the specific role of each of the 13 individuals in the implementation of the criminal plan.