In Zakarpattia, law enforcement agencies have uncovered a large-scale corruption scheme involving the illegal mining of andesite. The damage to the state, caused by theft and environmental crimes, exceeded 949 million hryvnias. At the center of the scandal were not only heads of commercial structures but also a regional council deputy, whose name, according to the investigation, is involved in organizing criminal activity.
From 'geological exploration' to industrial plunder
The scheme was launched in 2024 when one of the companies received official permission to conduct geological studies and pilot industrial development of a deposit covering 59 hectares near Uzhhorod. However, as investigators found out, the 'research' phase was merely a formal pretext. In reality, the company moved to full-scale industrial stone mining, ignoring legislative restrictions.
To organize the quarry work, about 10 hectares of forest were destroyed. Forest fund lands were illegally used to lay 2.6 km of power lines and install 52 poles. Mining was carried out using explosives without conducting the mandatory environmental impact assessment. Investigators recorded at least 13 instances of blasting operations that were conducted in violation of all safety standards.
Billions in the 'grey' zone
The financial scale of the crime is staggering. According to official tax reports, the company sold more than 774,000 tons of andesite. However, the investigation revealed a significant volume of unaccounted product — another 353,000 tons. According to law enforcement, this part of the output was sold for cash, bypassing the tax system. The value of the 'grey' andesite is estimated at approximately 247 million hryvnias.
In total, about 417,000 cubic meters of minerals were illegally mined. Judicial expert examinations confirmed that the total damage to the state from this scheme exceeded 949.8 million hryvnias. This includes not only lost tax revenue but also the costs of environmental restoration.
Political cover and the prosecutor's reaction
During the investigation, law enforcement recorded conversations between the participants of the scheme discussing how to continue using the site despite lawsuits from the prosecutor's office. The figures also mentioned the Temporary Investigative Commission (TIC) of the Verkhovna Rada dealing with the situation around the deposit.
General Prosecutor Ruslan Kravchenko noted that the TIC mechanism must remain a tool for establishing the truth and not become a cover for enterprises causing billion-grivnia damage to the state. 'We must ensure that political tools are not used to protect criminal interests,' he emphasized.
Contradictory data
While the prosecution insists that mining was carried out exclusively on an industrial scale under the guise of research, the defense of the figures may claim that part of the work was indeed of a research nature. Furthermore, the exact damage amount of 949.8 million hryvnias could be challenged in court if the defense presents alternative calculations of the cost of the mined andesite or the costs of forest restoration.
Criminal cases and next steps
All four participants of the scheme have been notified of suspicion. They are charged with illegal mining of minerals resulting in serious consequences, as well as the legalization (laundering) of proceeds obtained through criminal activity. The issue of preventive measures is being resolved through the courts.
