Former Naftogaz official is suspected of causing more than UAH 26 million in losses to the company
29 August 2025 14:10
Former Naftogaz of Ukraine official Vitaliy Shcherbenko has been notified of suspicion of abuse of power and office, which led to multimillion-dollar losses for the state-owned company. This was announced on August 29 by the Prosecutor General’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to the investigation, the former Director of Energy Efficiency and Property Management of Naftogaz Group signed a lease agreement for an administrative building in Kyiv before the completion of repair and finishing works in it. For almost three months after the agreement was signed, the company’s employees could not move into the leased premises, but the rent was already being accrued and paid regularly.
As a result of such actions, Naftogaz of Ukraine incurred unnecessary expenses, and the state suffered losses of more than UAH 26 million, the SBI reported.
“The official acted deliberately, realizing the consequences of signing the contract before the repair work was completed,” the Prosecutor General’s Office emphasized.
For these actions, Shcherbenko faces up to 6 years in prison with the possibility of deprivation of the right to hold certain positions.
For reference
- Vitaliy Shcherbenko was the Director of Energy Efficiency and Property Management at Naftogaz.
- Following personnel changes at the company, Vitaliy Brovko, who previously worked at the Prosecutor General’s Office, was appointed Security Director of Naftogaz.
- “Naftogaz is the largest state-owned company in Ukraine and a key player in the energy market, so any abuse of its assets has a significant impact on the state budget.
