A group of officials is suspected of cutting down the oaks of the Chernobyl reserve for UAH 60 million – DBR

A group of officials is suspected of cutting down 100-year-old oaks in the Chernobyl reserve for UAH 60 million – DBR

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The State Bureau of Investigation, together with the National Police, exposed a group of people who organized the illegal felling of oak trees in the Chernobyl reserve. Among the suspects is the acting director of the state-owned enterprise “Northern Pushcha”.

It was established that in December 2023, the head of the enterprise organized the illegal felling of 185 oak trees in the Denisovets forestry, located on the territory of the Chernobyl reserve, informs DBR.

The “work” was performed by three civilians. According to the law enforcement officers, the director showed the accomplices the territory where valuable trees, over 100 years old, grew. They were issued special passes so that they could enter the territory of the reserve.

Also, an employee of the law enforcement agencies was involved in the crime: he accompanied the transport with cut wood.

Then the wood was taken to Kyiv, where it was sold under forged documents. The total amount of losses to the state reaches over 59 million hryvnias.

In addition, during the searches, more than 350 cubic meters of cut wood were seized, which the perpetrators did not have time to sell.

They were charged with committing a crime by an organized group related to illegal felling and sale of forest, which led to severe consequences under Articles 27 and 28, as well as Part 4 of Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

A pre-trial investigation is ongoing. If the court proves their guilt, the members of the criminal group face up to 7 years in prison.

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