The High Anti-Corruption Court approved the plea agreement with Nataliia Chorna, former head of a department at the Production Support Center branch of JSC Ukrzaliznytsia, finding her guilty of abuse of office in connection with the procurement of paint and enamel products that caused losses of over UAH 10 million.

Under the terms of the agreement, Chorna received a four-year prison sentence with a one-year probationary period and undertook to provide incriminating testimony against the other participants in the scheme.

The investigation established that in August 2022, Nataliia Chorna — in her capacity as department head with authority to conduct simplified procurements — groundlessly canceled a simplified procurement of PF-115 enamel, despite the most economically advantageous offer having been submitted by Western Ukrainian Trading Company LLC.

The stated reason for the cancellation was a purported absence of need for the product; in reality, no such need had ceased to exist. The true purpose was to eliminate competition and ensure that pre-selected entities would win subsequent tenders.

New procurement procedures were then initiated, resulting in the Production Support Center branch of JSC Ukrzaliznytsia concluding contracts with Adamant Trading House LLC and Eco-Renaissance LLC at prices significantly above market rates. The procurement of products at inflated prices caused losses to the enterprise totaling UAH 10,010,026.50 — the difference between the contract prices and the average market value of the enamel at the time of delivery.

Chorna was charged under Article 364(2) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The SAPO prosecutor asked the court to approve the plea agreement, noting that its terms comply with the law and serve the public interest. Nataliia Chorna provided incriminating testimony against the other participants in the criminal scheme — testimony considered critical to the investigation of large-scale procurement abuses. The prosecutor emphasized that release from custodial punishment on probation achieves the rehabilitative purpose of sentencing without removing the defendant from society.

The defendant pleaded guilty and confirmed that the agreement was entered into voluntarily, without coercion or threats. Defense counsel asked the court to take into account her genuine remorse, her contribution to uncovering the crime, and her voluntary agreement to transfer UAH 300,000 to the state budget as partial compensation for the damages caused.

The court approved the plea agreement, sentencing Natalia Chorna to four years' imprisonment, a one-year ban on holding positions in state authorities, and a fine of UAH 17,000.

Pursuant to Article 75 of the Criminal Code, she was released from the custodial sentence on one year's probation. She is also required to transfer UAH 300,000 within 30 days to the special account of the Recovery and Development Fund in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as partial restitution for the losses caused by her unlawful conduct.