The HACC held closing arguments today in the case of former Ukrzaliznytsia official Oleh Zolotariov, accused of organizing procurement at inflated prices that cost the company over UAH 9.6 million in damages.

On February 25, 2026, the prosecutor announced withdrawal from the prosecution in the case. Ukrzaliznytsia, as the injured party, stated it would continue pursuing the prosecution after the prosecutor's withdrawal.

Today, a representative of Ukrzaliznytsia JSC stated that Zolotariov, as chairman of the tender committee, acted in breach of his official duties — failing to resolve discrepancies in commercial bids, ignoring objections, and proceeding with the tender by unjustifiably declaring Brovary Electrical Engineering Association LLC and Elpo Ukraine LLC the winners, even though their documents did not meet the qualification requirements. The prosecution also argued that Zolotariov's guilt was fully established during the trial and supported by a range of evidence, including comprehensive commodity and economic expert examinations. The victim's representative asked the court to find Zolotariov guilty, impose a sentence at the court's discretion, and fully grant the company's civil claim.

The defense disputed Zolotariov's guilt, arguing that the August–September 2017 tender for external power supply units for trains was conducted in strict compliance with procedure. The lawyer noted that the prosecution had provided no evidence of wrongdoing or price inflation, and that both the original expert findings and a repeat examination conducted during the trial fully disproved the existence of any damages. He called the charges unfounded and asked the court to fully acquit Zolotariov, deny Ukrzaliznytsia's civil claim, and lift the preventive measure, returning his UAH 454,000 bail.

Zolotariov fully endorsed his lawyer's position, stating that he had acted strictly within regulatory documents and the tender committee's collegial decision-making, had not exceeded his official authority, and asked the court to reject the civil claim. The parties did not exchange further remarks.

In his closing statement, Zolotariov noted that he had worked at Ukrzaliznytsia for 29 years, had always carried out his duties diligently, and had never violated any procurement procedures.