The preparatory proceedings in the Ukrnafta embezzlement case, ongoing for over a year, have once again stalled due to the impossibility of assembling all participants. The case has six defendants represented by nine defense counsel.

Although the case has been at the preparatory stage since March 27, 2025, the last three hearings in a row have been adjourned for various reasons, with defense counsel and victims' representatives taking turns failing to appear — in person or via video link.

The March 20, 2026 hearing was postponed due to the absence of a defense counsel whose participation is mandatory; he was attending another investigative action, forcing the court to adjourn until April. 

The next attempt, on April 3, also failed: a victim's representative did not appear, and one defense counsel failed to connect via video link — it later emerged he had fallen ill and slept through the hearing. This triggered yet another adjournment.

Today's hearing likewise could not proceed. Despite most participants being present in the courtroom or online, the court was again unable to move to the merits — a defense counsel was in another hearing and could not leave.

SAPO has charged six individuals with misappropriating over UAH 13 billion from Ukrnafta through two corruption schemes in 2015, including the fictitious supply of petroleum products through Kotlas LLC. The key defendants are former Ukrnafta officials Nataliia Kernytska and Liudmyla Kyianytsia, along with four directors of commercial firms. The latter four have been on the wanted list since 2022 and are being tried in absentia. Proceedings against Oleksandr Kushch, former Chairman of Ukrnafta's Management Board, were closed on March 3 following his death.

The statute of limitations expires in 2030.