Losses of over UAH 300 million: court seized liquefied gas sold for underpriced value by Ukrnafta on unlicensed exchange

The SBI employees have been investigating criminal proceedings into the illegal sale of liquefied gas by PJSC Ukrnafta during April-May 2022.

It was established that under martial law, in April of this year, PJSC "Ukrnafta" applied for an auction for the sale of liquefied gas.

At the auction committee meeting, the exchange, proposed by PJSC Ukrnafta, which did possess a license to conduct professional activities in organized commodity markets, was approved.

The auction results show signs of falsification, as the winners bought liquefied gas at a price almost twice lower than the market one.

In particular, two participants were recognized as auction winners with bids of about UAH 28 thousand per tonne. On the same day, at another auction, the stated companies bought liquefied gas with proposals of about UAH 55 thousand per tonne. Other bidders did not submit price proposals.

Thus, the amount of losses to the company with a significant state share may amount to more than UAH 300 million.

As part of the proceedings for the crime specified in Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Deliberate, to obtain improper advantage for himself or another natural or legal entity, use of authority against the interests of the service, which caused grave consequences), the SBI seized the liquefied gas.

Procedural guidance is provided by prosecutors of the Prosecutor General’s Office.