Law enforcement authorities have made public the details of the court proceedings regarding the suspicion against Kyiv Deputy Mayor Volodymyr Prokopiv, who is currently involved in several criminal cases
According to sources within the SBU and Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office, the official is suspected of aiding the illegal departure of 31 individuals abroad by using forged documents and unauthorized approvals within the "Shlyakh" (Path) system. It is reported that Prokopiv, who is also a deputy of the Kyiv City Council, was involved in organizing the smuggling of citizens from Ukraine abroad under the guise of transporting humanitarian cargo. Official information states that the investigation has established that a private company approached the Kyiv City Administration with a request to submit 35 applications in the electronic system "Shlyakh" for the border crossing of 31 persons. The described documents mentioned fuel truck drivers intended to deliver diesel fuel for humanitarian aid purposes. However, law enforcement officials found several signs of unlawful activities: in particular, some drivers lacked the appropriate categories of driving licenses required for freight transportation, and some of them did not return from foreign assignments. It has been established that, following the approval of the deputy mayor and using his digital signature, permission for border crossing was obtained for 31 individuals during May–June 2022. This occurred as part of a scheme indicating systematic interference in the legalization of illegal departures from the country. Ongoing is the pre-trial investigation into the detention and the measure of restraint for the suspect. The charge against him carries a penalty of up to seven years of imprisonment. Meanwhile, investigators are also exploring another avenue—potential abuse of office related to the interests of companies close to Prokopiv. This case has been initiated within another criminal proceeding led by investigators examining facts of corruption and abuse of power in the Kyiv City Council. This high-profile case was highlighted in an investigative report by the "Bihus.Info" project, which drew public attention to possible schemes of high-level abuse in city governance. It was preceded on April 17 by reports confirming that the SBU and the National Police had announced suspicion against the deputy head of the Kyiv City State Administration in connection with this case. In light of the investigation and the broad public discourse, mayor Vitaliy Klitschko announced in 2024 that Volodymyr Prokopiv was temporarily suspended from his duties, citing information about possible abuse in the sphere of municipal property, including illegal appropriation of real estate objects in the capital. The deputy mayor responded by stating he has a clear conscience and, expressing his willingness to cooperate with justice, submitted a resignation letter. The judicial process concerning Prokopiv is expected to continue, and investigative actions are still ongoing, as law enforcement aims to clarify all circumstances of this complex case, which has resonated widely not only within city politics but also in society at large. How this case will develop remains to be seen; however, it is already evident that fighting corruption and abuse of power at high levels of government remains one of the most urgent priorities for law enforcement agencies in the country.