Large-Scale Corruption Scheme with the Theft of Danube Shipping Fleet: Charges Filed in Court
Between 2017 and the present, a group of individuals, including former regional deputies, a former head of the Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company, and several employees of affiliated companies, orchestrated a sophisticated scheme to illegally seize 32 vessels owned by a state enterprise.
This criminal activity resulted in significant damages to the state, estimated at over 82 million hryvnias.
On November 6, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) officially announced the submission of the indictment to the court, exposing a vast operation of theft and misappropriation of public assets.
According to investigations, in August 2017, one of the regional deputies devised a plan to unlawfully take control of light vessels owned by the Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company, intending to repurpose them into larger barges for commercial activities controlled by accomplices.
To implement this scheme, the deputy enlisted several co-conspirators—another deputy, the chairman of the enterprise, and trusted associates—who divided roles and developed a detailed plan of action.
They entered into fictitious leasing agreements with a company that was formally uninvolved but actually acted as an intermediary.
As a result, in November 2017, 18 light vessels worth over 44 million hryvnias were obtained.
Later, after a change in the company’s leadership, they influenced new agreements to transfer an additional 14 vessels worth about 38 million hryvnias.
All 32 vessels were transported to Turkey, where they were dismantled and reconstructed into 12 larger barges.
These barges were then returned to Ukraine and registered to companies controlled by the suspects.
Following court orders based on investigations by NABU and prosecutors, these barges were seized and handed over to the Assets Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA).
The accused individuals are charged under several articles of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, including theft of property in large amounts, fraud, and money laundering.
Four of the six suspects are currently on the run, with investigations ongoing in absentia.
The investigation was carried out by NABU detectives with operational support from the SBU.
Furthermore, two Odessa-based OPPZJ deputies involved in the theft of Danube shipping vessels have been put on the wanted list.
This case highlights the critical state of Ukraine’s transportation logistics, vital for exporting agro-products, especially amid ongoing conflicts.