“Pay 3 thousands of dollars — and there will be no fine”: how gas workers in Kyiv region could extort bribes from consumers

“Pay 3 thousands of dollars — and there will be no fine”: how gas workers in the Kyiv region could demand bribes from consumers

Half a million hryvnias in fines and gas disconnection — or three thousand dollars, to have the meter check pass without consequences. That is the choice, according to the investigation, that two employees of “Gas Networks” presented to a resident of Kyiv region. And this is not the only similar case: criminal case materials also mention a “thank you” for no issues with seals, and money for speeding up boiler installation.

Telegraph investigated how the powers of gas workers can become a tool of extortion — and why consumers are offered to pay for gas peace outside the cash desk.

Since the start of the full-scale war, Naftogaz group became the supplier of gas for about 12,5 million Ukrainian families (this is 98% of the market, and by the 2022-th it was only 15%). And the company from its structure — “Gas Networks” — received broad powers to control consumers’ gas equipment. Gas meter checks, boiler connections, and network maintenance became new touchpoints with millions of Ukrainians. And, as criminal proceedings and residents’ stories show, this also opened a new method of “earning.”

Several Kyiv region residents appealed to the media, recounting that for “solving problems” with gas workers they were offered to pay from 10 to 20 thousand hryvnias. Similar cases were recorded in other regions. Judging by criminal case materials, the bribe size ranges from 12 thousand to three thousand dollars (about 136 thousand hryvnias).

About how gas-related corruption schemes may work, read the article.

The main:

After 2022 year, Naftogaz and its structure gained control over 98% of the population gas market and the right to inspect customers’ equipment and meters.

For two years now, “Gas Networks” (part of the Naftogaz group) has been conducting checks of intrahouse networks in apartment buildings; they also enter apartments. They are gradually aimed at covering all high-rise buildings.

Current rules allow company representatives to disconnect gas selectively for violations, encouraging people to “resolve issues” for money.

The threat of huge fines for meters (potentially hundreds of thousands of hryvnias) becomes the main lever of pressure on consumers.

Court materials show that bribes for connections, checks, or absence of “fines” range from 10-12 thousand hryvnias to 3 thousand dollars.

The described cases indicate weak local control over employees, and Naftogaz leadership has not yet provided answers to an official request.

12,5 million customers and control over apartments

After the start of the full-scale invasion, about 12,5 million household consumers switched to Naftogaz as supplier, pushing out regional gas companies and gas services, including Dmitry Firtash. Meanwhile, the distribution of gas and maintenance of networks is handled by LLC “Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine” (“Gas Networks”), which is also part of the group.

A special impact on consumers’ lives came after the introduction of mandatory maintenance of internal gas networks. Since 2024, such checks are conducted in multi-apartment buildings. Residents pay for them separately — this is the so-called “third bill,” alongside gas and delivery charges.

During maintenance, gas workers inspect pipes, joints, valves, ventilation, and chimneys. They also enter apartments. If violations are found, gas may be disconnected.

For example, problems may arise due to faulty ventilation, unauthorized equipment connections, or apartment renovations. To restore gas, the owner must remedy the violations, and sometimes essentially redo the renovation.

The schedule of maintenance for every apartment building across the country is published on Gas Networks’ websites. For example, on the 2026-th in Kyiv region a plan to inspect 3019 high-rises. And in the 2025-th they inspected 3093. Checks occur every three to five years (depending on building age).

.fancybox-div {text-align: center; font-size: 12px; margin: 0 0 20px 0;}

“Pay 3 thousands of dollars — and there will be no fine”: how gas workers in Kyiv region could extort bribes from consumers

They also publish acts that note the results of checks. In a large part of cases they recommend painting the gas pipe outside and give a few months for that. At the same time, violations found in apartments are not included in public acts.

Moreover, it depends on the employee who went into the apartment whether the “apartment” violation is documented.

“Pay 3 thousands of dollars — and there will be no fine”: how gas workers in the Kyiv region could extort bribes from consumers

“Pay 3 thousands of dollars — and there will be no fine”: how gas workers in the Kyiv region could extort bribes from consumers

Resident of Kyiv region Sofia told that in her building during maintenance gas was disconnected in four apartments due to layout in a studio format. After all, rules now forbid sleeping in rooms with gas appliances.

“In our building gas was cut off in four apartments. All were one-room studios. Yet such layout was made by the developer, and this is allegedly a violation of the rules. Building a wall now is basically remaking a lot of things. Studios here are at least 18, and gas was disconnected in only four,” she said.

According to the woman, residents faced the need to rebuild apartments to restore gas. At the same time, a question arises why with the same layout the consequences of checks differ.

Such situations create risks of domestic corruption: a person who can be left without gas for an uncertain period becomes vulnerable to offers to “solve the issue” for money.

“I know that in one residential complex they even looked for someone to give a bribe to. Those who came to check, quietly disconnected gas. Whoever managed to negotiate on the spot fared better. Because then it becomes harder,” the woman says. The house check of Sofia took place in 2026-th and will occur every five years (that term is set for high-rises aged up to 25 years).

Checks and huge fines

Even greater risks arise during meter checks. If gas workers find damaged seals or signs of tampering, they must draw up an enforcement act. After review, a consumer may be charged for unaccounted gas. This is the gas that theoretically could have been used while the meter was not working. In some cases, sums reach hundreds of thousands of hryvnias.

And here you can rely not only on anonymous complaints to Naftogaz. An analysis of the court decisions registry found a number of rulings containing materials of pre-trial investigations into possible bribes received by “gas workers.” It should be added that there are no sentences in these cases yet, so it cannot be stated that bribes really occurred.

For example, 6 October 2026 this year, two Gas Networks employees came to the resident’s house in Kyiv region to check the meter. They stated that the instrument of the old model needed replacement. But later they claimed it was allegedly faulty and the owner was illegally consuming gas. They threatened a “fine” (in reality an additional charge) of 500 thousand hryvnias and disconnection.

According to law enforcement, the employees proposed not to draw up an act and not to disconnect gas… for 3 thousand dollars. The demand was repeated several times, changing the timing of the money transfer. One of the suspects, according to available information, was granted home arrest.

By the way, the “fine” of 500 thousand hryvnias is a perfectly plausible scenario. The largest additional charges after gas worker checks found in the registry amount to 1,5 million hryvnias. That is how much they charged a resident of Kharkiv region last year. According to Gas Networks employees, the man allegedly heated a greenhouse with an unregistered gas burner.

“A fee” – 10% of the fine

Another case occurred in June this year in Horodok, Khmelnytsky region. Local Gas Networks district workers initially replaced a woman’s meter, but later claimed its factory seals were damaged. The victim was threatened with a 120 thousand hryvnias fine, but was offered to settle the matter for 12 thousand. The woman explained that the “problem” could be resolved for a “bribe” of 10% of the fine.

The money was to be handed over through a fitter. According to his testimony, the district head ordered him to take the money and give it to her.

Domestic corruption may arise not only during inspections, but also when people try to connect gas equipment.

According to pre-trial investigation data, in Kharkiv region a master of the gas networks maintenance service of the Merefianska district allegedly demanded 45 thousand hryvnias from a local resident. For this money he promised to speed up the paperwork for installing a gas boiler.

“Pay 3 thousands of dollars — and there will be no fine”: how gas workers in the Kyiv region could extort bribes from consumers

Thus, extortion of money can occur at three stages: during equipment connection, meter checks, and house maintenance. In each case the consumer depends on the decision of a particular worker, and the price of refusal can be too high — a fine, a prolonged disconnection, or the need for expensive repairs.

These stories do not prove the existence of a centralized corruption scheme across the Naftogaz group. However, they raise questions about control over workers in its gas distribution structures.

Note that Gas Networks is led by Lyudmila Kinder. Previously she led other companies within the Naftogaz group: Naftogaz Ukraine Gas Supply Company and Naftogaz Trading.