“Green” Tariff Under Scrutiny: NABU Uncovers a 141 Million Hryvnia Scheme and Files Charges Against a Group of Former High-Ranking Officials
21 January 16:39
Law enforcement officials announced the exposure of a large-scale scheme to embezzle funds intended for payments under the “green” tariff. According to investigators, the money was received by companies located in the temporarily occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, which did not actually generate electricity for Ukraine’s power grid.
This was reported by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
How the scheme worked
According to the investigation, in 2019–2020, a former deputy of the Donetsk Regional Council, together with his brother, established control over a number of companies that generated electricity from alternative sources. In the Vasylivka district of Zaporizhzhia region, they built solar power plants with a total capacity of about 60 MW and signed contracts with the state-owned enterprise “Guaranteed Buyer” to sell electricity at the “green” tariff.
After the start of full-scale war and the occupation of part of the region, these power plants lost connection with the Ukrainian power grid, sustained damage, and their staff was evacuated. However, according to NABU, companies controlled by the suspects continued to report electricity production and receive payments, even though no electricity was actually being supplied to Ukraine’s power grid.
The investigation estimates the total amount of losses incurred by the state at 141.3 million hryvnias.
Who is involved
Law enforcement officials have not officially named the suspects. At the same time, NABU noted that the case is being investigated, in particular, based on materials from a journalistic investigation by Bihus.Info.
Back in 2023, journalists reported that the co-owners of solar power plants in the occupied territory included individuals from the inner circle of Rostyslav Shurma, the deputy head of the Office of the President.Ukrainska Pravdaalso reported that in 2025, NABU detectives conducted searches at Shurma’s residence in Germany, and that he and his brother, according to sources, have been living abroad for a long time.
Who Has Been Charged
As of now, nine individuals have been notified of the charges, including:
- the former deputy head of the Office of the President and former member of the supervisory board of Naftogaz of Ukraine;
- the owner of a network of Ukrainian and foreign companies—a close relative of a former high-ranking official;
- a confidant of the former official;
- managers and employees of controlled enterprises;
- the former commercial director of JSC “Zaporizhzhyaoblenergo.”
Their actions are classified under Part 5 of Article 191 (misappropriation of property on an especially large scale) and Part 3 of Article 209 (money laundering) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The maximum penalty under these articles is up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. The NABU and the SAPO state that they are establishing the possible involvement of other individuals and examining a broader range of transactions related to the “green” tariff.
