The SBI has exposed a large-scale scheme of illegal oak logging in six regions of Ukraine, with losses potentially amounting to tens of millions of hryvnias

The State Bureau of Investigation consistently combats illegal logging and corruption in the forestry sector, from the district level to central structures. Just in recent months, the Bureau has documented dozens of cases of abuse and bribery among state forestry managers, as well as schemes related to the “shadow” legalization of timber. The Bureau works systematically to restore transparent rules in forestry sector and stop the theft of natural resources.

The employees of the SBI exposed a criminal scheme involving the illegal logging of valuable timber in the Volyn, Lviv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia and Zakarpattia regions.

The owner of two private companies and the head of a division of the Central Forestry Office, a branch of the State Forestry Agency of Ukraine, were involved in the illegal activities.

According to the investigation, the owner of two wood-processing companies conspired with a forestry official to illegally cut down oak trees on the territories entrusted to him. The wood was released without official accounting, and the businessman promised the official a bribe for his cooperation.

To conceal the illegal origin of the timber, the entrepreneur's subordinates produced fictitious documents, making it appear as though the timber was being sold legally. To create the appearance of legitimate activity, the timber had been transferred between their own companies, and once processed, it was exported abroad through a third company registered to an acquaintance of the businessman.

Just in October 2025, the entrepreneur handed over to the branch employee more than UAH 2 million of illegal benefits for cutting down more than 98 cubic meters of oak wood. Both individuals were detained during the transfer of money.

The entrepreneur was served notification of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (providing unlawful benefits to an official), and the forestry official was served notification of suspicion under Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (receiving unlawful benefits in an especially large amount).

A motion has been filed with the court to impose a preventive measure in the form of detention and seizure of the confiscated property.

If found guilty in court, the defendants face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Other persons involved are being identified, including lawyers, accountants, attorneys and other forestry workers.

The procedural guidance is provided by the Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office.