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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
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They will provide incriminating testimony against oligarch Kropachov
The High Anti-Corruption Court approved a plea agreement with a figure in the coal case of Kropachov: he will testify about the organizers and the lower-level participants in the scheme.
The accused's name is not being disclosed, but media reported that it is the director of LLC “Ukrainian Broker,” Oleksandr Dyrda.
This is one of the proceedings in the so-called coal case of businessman Vitaliy Kropachov. According to NABU and the SAP, in the 2016–2018 years the criminal organization effectively controlled procurements of three state coal-mining enterprises — “Mine Administration Southern Donbas No.1”, “Selidivvuhillia” and “Myrnohradvuhillia.” In the 69 procurements where the investigation found violations, contracts were received mostly by one company — LLC “Donenergoexport.” The total amount of purchases at inflated prices reached almost 174,5 million UAH, and the illegal overpayment — more than 51,17 million UAH.
According to the prosecution, the organization was created in August 2016. It had a clear three-tier hierarchy:
First tier (Kropachov and an unidentified person) — overall leadership, recruiting participants, coordinating actions, allocating roles and profits. Materials regarding them were separated into a distinct proceeding.
Second tier (director of LLC “Donenergoexport” Valentyn Hornostaiev and Oleksandr Dyrda) — organizing the work of controlled enterprises, setting the “entry” price and markup, preparing tender proposals, finding actual suppliers. Dyrda was responsible for work in the Prozorro system and had access to the bank accounts of one of the companies.
Third tier — members of the tender committees of the state enterprises (chairs, secretaries, committee members of “Selidivvuhillia,” “Myrnohradvuhillia” and the “Southern Donbas” committee). They received the agreed conditions, announced procurements, rejected “incorrect” proposals, and ensured the victory of controlled firms. Some of them have already been convicted under plea agreements (in particular, the secretary of the “Myrnohradvuhillia” committee, Tetiana Ruda).
The main supplier was LLC “Donenergoexport.” To create an appearance of competition they used “support companies”:
✔️ LLC “Trialtrade” (a nominal director who was involved in September of 2016; the founding documents and seal were effectively held by the organization);
✔️LLC “Universal Invest-Stroy” (a nominal director since March of 2017);
✔️ others, including LLC “Febrero.”
Goods were actually shipped by real manufacturers (for example, “Veles Met,” “AV Metal Group,” “Smart-Prime 1”), but were documented through intermediaries at inflated prices. The organization’s leaders convinced potential suppliers that “only those who are in the system and correct will be paid,” and that all questions must be “coordinated with Kyiv.”
Dyrda was found guilty of creating and participating in a criminal organization, as well as of misappropriating property of state enterprises on an especially large scale (part 4 of art. 28, part 5 of art. 191 and part 1 of art. 255 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
Part of the court session was held behind closed doors because Dyrda intends to give incriminating testimony regarding the first and second tiers. The prosecutor noted in court that the accused himself did not receive material compensation from the scheme.
Dyrda fully admitted guilt and committed to partially compensate the damage in the amount of 1 million UAH. The court imposed the final sentence — 7 years of imprisonment with disqualification from holding positions related to public procurement for 3 years. He was released from serving the main sentence with probation for a probationary period of 3 years. No asset confiscation was applied.
The seizure on Dyrda’s property (BMW X5, Nissan Micra, Honda Civic, an apartment and a non-residential premise), imposed in 2020, will be lifted after the sentence comes into force. The bail of 1,26 million UAH will be returned to the bailor.
The verdict can be appealed to the Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court, taking into account the limitations regarding plea agreements. Materials concerning other participants, including persons of the first tier, are being considered separately.
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