Coffins for the Homeless Paid for with Millions in Public Funds: Two Kharkiv Sole Proprietors Appeared in Tenders with Forged Documents

The Kyiv Ritual Specialized Enterprise purchased more than 3 thousand coffins from two entrepreneurs who confirmed their work experience with documents bearing identical details, signatures, and seals.

More than 2,9 million UAH from the Kyiv budget were directed to two Kharkiv entrepreneurs for supplying coffins for burying homeless people, unidentified deceased, and those rejected by relatives. However, during the tenders both sole proprietors submitted effectively identical contracts with forged signatures and seals allegedly on behalf of "Pulynsky Vodokanal." Those documents were supposed to confirm their experience, although the current head of the utility stated that the water company never did business with either of them.

The Kyiv communal ritual service paid over 2,9 million UAH for coffins to bury homeless and unidentified deceased to two Kharkiv entrepreneurs. At the same time, to participate in the procurements both sole proprietors submitted documents that show signs of forgery: contracts with identical numbers, dates, terms, and quantities of goods, supposedly concluded with the same municipal enterprise.

This was reported by NGL.media, citing tender documentation published in the Prozorro system.

The case involves sole proprietors Mykhailo Lymar and Ihor Masliy. To confirm experience supplying coffins, they provided the Kyiv specialized communal enterprise "Specialized Complex of Communal Household Service Enterprises" with copies of contracts with "Pulynsky Vodokanal."

However, the documents raised questions. Both entrepreneurs allegedly concluded agreements with the water utility to supply 300 coffins. The contracts have identical numbers and dates, and they completely coincide in terms, quantity, and types of products. In addition, journalists found a forged seal and signature of the former head of the enterprise in the documents.

The tender proposals also included invoices that were supposed to confirm payment for previous deliveries.

At Pulynsky Vodokanal itself they denied any business relations with the Kharkiv entrepreneurs. The current head of the enterprise, Serhii Tsilyk, told journalists that they never concluded contracts with either Mykhailo Lymar or Ihor Masliy.

"We did not work with them and we do not know these people at all. It turns out that someone is using our name and our prices," Serhii Tsilyk said.

According to him, the enterprise encountered such a situation for the first time, so it is currently only considering next steps.

Coffins for the homeless: what 2,9 million UAH was spent on

Despite the dubious documents, Mykhailo Lymar and Ihor Masliy signed three contracts with the Kyiv ritual service to supply coffins. The total value of the procurements exceeded 2,9 million UAH.

With these funds the communal enterprise acquired 3080 standard coffins without upholstery.

The ritual service explained that this configuration is related to the specific use of the products. The coffins are intended for burying homeless people, unidentified deceased, and persons rejected by relatives.

Acting director of the Kyiv specialized complex, Oleksandr Krasiko, explained that such burials are carried out with state funds, so additional expenses for upholstering the coffins are considered impractical.

At the same time, the communal enterprise stated that it does not have the ability to independently verify the authenticity of every document submitted by tender participants.

The specialized complex’s public procurement specialist, Oleksandr Babenko, noted that the enterprise is not a forensic institution that could verify signatures and seals. According to him, if Pulynsky Vodokanal officially reports the use of false information, this will be taken into account when evaluating tender proposals.

Family ties and a shared phone number

Journalists also drew attention to connections between the two suppliers. It turned out the entrepreneurs are related: Ihor Masliy has been married to Mykhailo Lymar’s sister for 15 years.

In addition, according to YouControl data, until February 2026 both entrepreneurs listed the same phone number in their contact information. Masliy changed it only six days before the Kyiv ritual service announced the tender to purchase coffins.

Both entrepreneurs refused to comment on the situation to NGL.media journalists.

Not the first scandal surrounding Kyiv ritual structures

The activities of SCP "Specialized Complex of Communal Household Service Enterprises" and ritual structures associated with it in the capital have already come under journalists’ scrutiny.

In particular, two weeks ago the outlet "Nashi Hroshi" reported on a dubious procurement for the construction of the Memorial Square in Kyiv worth 436 million UAH. Separately, the police and prosecutor’s office are investigating a criminal case into possible embezzlement of budget funds during repairs at city cemeteries and at the crematorium.

Earlier, StopKor wrote that a scandal erupted in Kyiv over the market for ritual services: deputy director of KP "Specialized Complex," Oleksandr Skoryk, is accused of creating an illegal scheme to profit from burials, pressuring relatives of the deceased, and using connections with city authorities. According to eyewitness testimony, the scheme may have used the status of a communal enterprise, and payments for services allegedly went to private individuals.