On February 23, 2026, the HACC continued hearing the case against former Deputy Minister of Energy Oleksandr Kheilo and private energy trader Serhii Pylypchuk, accused of promising to arrange the transfer of equipment from mines in the Donetsk region in exchange for a bribe.

At the previous hearing, the court closed the preparatory stage and moved to the trial on the merits, and the prosecutor delivered a brief summary of the indictment. Today, the court verified the defendants’ personal details and explained the essence of the charges. The parties then began their opening statements.

 The prosecutor said that, while serving as Deputy Minister of Energy, Kheilo played a key role in the arrangements involving an improper benefit. According to the prosecution, Pylypchuk, who did not hold a public position, acted as an accomplice. Prosecutors stated that Pylypchuk met with Serhii Kobyliatskyi regarding the transportation of equipment, for which a USD 500,000 bribe was to be paid, and that a storage agreement was concluded. In coordination with Kheilo, meetings were also held with Pavlo Tanchev (an adviser to Andrii Venhryn, head of Volynvuhillia), during which the mechanism for transferring the money was discussed.

Initially, the bribe was to be paid in two tranches, but later the parties allegedly agreed to transfer it in five weekly installments of USD 100,000 each. During the handover of the third tranche, five participants in the scheme were exposed.

 Kheilo’s defense counsel argued that the charges are not specific and that the crime report was filed by Tanchev, who is himself involved in criminal proceedings.  In the defense’s view, the prosecutor’s conclusions are based on assumptions.  The lawyer also emphasized that no cash was found during searches of Kheilo.

After the opening statements, the court is expected to move on to examining evidence.

Investigators believe that Kheilo, who at the time of his detention served as Deputy Minister under Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, conspired with Serhii Pylypchuk, former Selydivvuhillia director Serhii Kobyliatskyi, and Yevhenii Lut, head of Mykolaiv Electricity Supply Company. In exchange for USD 500,000, they allegedly promised to ensure the transfer of equipment from mines in the Donetsk region to mining enterprises in western Ukraine.

Investigators say the suspects sought to profit from the relocation of valuable property. The money was to be transferred in five parts, but during the third handover, the accomplices were caught in the act.

Earlier, Lut and Kobyliatskyi entered into plea agreements.