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

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

Half a million hryvnias in additional charges and gas cut-off — or three thousand dollars to have the meter check pass without consequences. This is the choice, according to the investigation, that two employees of “Gazmeshi” offered a resident of Kyiv region. And this is not the only such case: criminal case materials also feature a “thank you” for no issues with seals, and money for speeding up boiler documentation.

Telegraph investigated how the powers of gas workers can become an instrument 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 gas supplier for about 12,5 million Ukrainian families (this is 98% of the market, and by 2022 the share was only 15%). And a company from its structure — Gazmerezhi — received broad powers to control consumers’ gas equipment. Meter checks, boiler connections, and network maintenance became new touchpoints with millions of Ukrainians. And, as criminal proceedings and residents’ accounts show, this also opened a new method of “earning.”

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

About how “gas” corruption schemes may work, read in the material.

Main:

After 2022 year Naftogaz and its structure gained control over 98% of the household gas market and the right to check consumer equipment and meters.

For two years now Gazmerezhi (part of the Naftogaz group) has been conducting checks of in-building networks in multi-story buildings; they also access apartments. Gradually they plan to cover all multi-story buildings.

Current rules give company representatives the ability to disconnect gas for violations selectively, encouraging people to “settle issues” for money.

The threat of large charges for meters (which can reach hundreds of thousands of hryvnias) becomes the main lever of pressure on consumers.

Judicial 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 oversight of employees on the ground, and Naftogaz management has yet to respond to an official inquiry.

12,5 million customers and control over apartments.

After the start of the full-scale invasion, about 12,5 million household customers moved to Naftogaz as supplier, pushing out regional gas distributors and gas service stores, including those controlled by Dmytro Firtash. At the same time, gas distribution and network maintenance is handled by LLC “Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine” (Gazmerezhi), which is also part of the group.

A special influence on consumer life occurred after mandatory in-house gas network maintenance was introduced. Since 2024 year these checks have been conducted in multi-apartment buildings. Residents pay separately — this is the so-called “third bill,” alongside gas and its delivery bills.

During maintenance, gas workers check 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 redevelopment. To restore gas, the owner must fix the violations, and sometimes effectively redo renovations.

The maintenance schedule for each multi-apartment building nationwide is published on Gazmerezhi websites. For example, on the 2026-th in Kyiv region, the plan calls for inspection of 3019 multi-story buildings. And in the 2025-th they inspected 3093. Checks occur every three to five years (depending on building age).

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

They also publish acts that show the results of inspections. In most cases they recommend painting the gas pipe outside the building and give a few months for this. At the same time, violations found in apartments are not included in public acts.

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

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

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

Resident of Kyiv region Sofia said that in her building during maintenance gas was cut off in four apartments due to studio-format planning. After all, current rules prohibit sleeping in a room where gas appliances operate.

“In our building gas was cut off for four apartments. All of them were one-room studios. Yet such planning was done by the developer, and this, apparently, violates the rules. Building a wall now is basically reconstructing a lot. We have at least 18 studios, and gas was cut off in only four,” she said.

According to the woman, residents faced the need to redevelop apartments to restore gas. At the same time, questions arise as to why the consequences of inspections differ for identical planning.

Such situations create the risk of household corruption: a person who may be left without gas for an indefinite period becomes vulnerable to offers to “settle the issue” for money.

“I know that in one housing complex they even looked for someone to give a bribe to. Those who came to check quietly disconnected the gas. Those who managed to strike a deal on the spot were luckier. Because then it’s harder,” the woman says. The in-house inspection of Sofia’s building took place in 2026-th year and will occur every five years (this term is set for buildings aged up to 25 years).

Inspections and huge fines

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

And here you can no longer rely only on anonymous complaints from Naftogaz customers. An analysis of the court decision registry found a number of rulings containing materials of pre-trial investigations into possible bribes received by “gas workers.” It should be noted: there are no sentences yet in these cases, so to claim that bribes indeed occurred would be premature.

For example, 6 October 2026 year two Gazmerezhi employees came to a house in Kyiv region to check the meter. They said the device of an old model needed replacement. Later they stated it was allegedly defective, and the owner was unlawfully consuming gas. She was threatened with a “fine” (in reality additional charges) of 500 thousand hryvnias and disconnection.

According to law enforcement, the workers offered not to draw up an act and not to disconnect the gas… for 3 thousand dollars. The demand was repeated several times, changing the timing of the payment. One of the suspects was reportedly granted house arrest.

By the way, a “fine” of 500 thousand hryvnias is quite a plausible scenario. The largest charges found in the registry after gas worker checks were 1,5 million hryvnias. Last year, this much was charged to a resident of Kharkiv region. According to Gazmerezhi workers, the man used a gas burner outside registration to heat a greenhouse.

“A fee” – 10% of the fine amount

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

Money was to be handed over through a plumber. According to his testimony, the district head ordered him to take the money and hand it to her.

Household corruption can arise not only during checks but also when people attempt to connect gas equipment.

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

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

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

These stories do not prove the existence of a centralized corruption scheme at the level of the entire Naftogaz. However, they raise questions about oversight of employees in its gas distribution structures.

Note that Gazmerezhi is led by Lyudmila Kinder. Earlier she headed other Naftogaz group companies: Gas Supply Company of Naftogaz Ukraine and Naftogaz Trading.