Case description
The NABU and the SAPO suspect former head of Kharkivoblenergo JSC Kostiantyn Lohvynenko and Leonid Mindich, a cousin of the co-owner of Kvartal 95 LLC, along with other individuals of embezzling funds from Kharkivoblenergo through procurement of transformer equipment and electrical measuring devices.
According to investigators, in 2021, Lohvynenko, who was then acting CEO of the company, together with Mindich, who controlled several private energy equipment suppliers, created an organized group with the aim of systematically misappropriating funds from the state-owned company. The group also included employees of Kharkivoblenergo and associated private-sector representatives.
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The investigation established that Mindich, as the scheme’s organizer, personally oversaw procurement not only at Kharkivoblenergo but also attempted to expand his influence to other state-owned energy enterprises. From April to September 2021, he ensured that two controlled companies won public tenders for the supply of 11,904 units of transformer equipment and 79,425 units of meters and other electrical measuring devices.
The total value of these procurement transactions was deliberately inflated by UAH 132.5 million. Employees of the Kharkiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a private appraiser were involved in implementing the scheme by helping to artificially inflate the estimated value of the tenders.
Part of the contracts was executed in 2021–2022, causing losses to the company totaling UAH 12.5 million. The plan to embezzle an additional UAH 120 million was thwarted by the start of the full-scale war and the intervention of NABU detectives.
As part of the criminal proceedings, law enforcement identified several episodes, including:
- Procuring equipment from Kharkiv Electrotechnical Plant Energomira LLC and Energy Company Energo-Time LLC at inflated prices — losses exceeding UAH 11.1 million under just two contracts.
- Intent on illegally spending another UAH 118 million through fictitious competition in tenders, which was not carried through for reasons beyond the organizers’ control.
- Money laundering — group members conducted financial transactions through controlled entities amounting to over UAH 10.5 million to conceal the criminal origin of the funds.
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Mindich was detained while attempting to leave the country. A total of eight people have now been served with suspicion notices in this case, including:
- Dmytro Myrnyi, Director of General Affairs at Kharkivoblenergo
- Hennadii Fisun, Head of the Material Supply Department at Kharkivoblenergo
- Head of a department at the Kharkiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Private appraiser
- Iryna Koval, Director of Euromarket Commodity Exchange
- Head of another commercial enterprise.
The suspects face charges under Article 191(5) and Article 209(2) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
