The State Bureau of Investigation exposed a member of the Transcarpathian Regional Council who was covering up illegal sales of wood

The employees of the State Bureau of Investigation, together with the National Police of Ukraine, exposed a member of the Transcarpathian Regional Council involved in the illegal sale of valuable oak wood.

The deputy headed the regional council's permanent commission on ecology and natural resource use, agro-industrial complex, and rural development. Instead of overseeing the forestry sector, he entered into a criminal conspiracy with the head of the Berehove Forestry Administration.

From January to April 2025, they organized the transportation and sale of two truckloads of timber, totaling about 40 cubic meters.

Some of the oak trees were sent to a private company owned by the forester. The money from the sale of the timber was transferred to the accounts of two entepreneurs that were controlled by the deputy — one belonged to his wife, the other was registered to a close acquaintance.

According to preliminary estimates, the losses to the state exceed UAH 1 million.

The deputy has been served notification suspicion under Part 4 of Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—transportation and sale of illegally felled trees by prior conspiracy by a group of persons, which caused serious consequences.

The sanction of the article provides for up to 7 years of imprisonment. Investigators have filed a motion with the court to impose a preventive measure in the form of house arrest.

In June, the State Bureau of Investigation served notification of suspicion to the head of the Berehove Forestry Administration, who is also involved in the sale of valuable timber.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Other episodes of illegal timber sales are being investigated, and if confirmed, the losses could exceed UAH 2 million. The relevant expert examinations have been appointed.

The procedural guidance is provided by the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office of the Transcarpathian Regional Prosecutor's Office.