Pay 3000 dollars or lose your gas: how Naftogaz employees systematically demanded bribes from customers

Half a million hryvnias in back charges and gas shutoff — or three thousand dollars so the meter inspection would have no consequences. That was the choice, according to the investigation, two employees of Gazmerezhi presented to a resident of the Kyiv region.

This was reported by Telegraf.

And this is not the only such case: the criminal case files also mention a “thank you” for no complaints about seals, and money to speed up boiler paperwork. Telegraf found out how gas workers’ powers can become a tool for extortion — and why consumers are offered to pay for gas peace off the books.

After the start of the full-scale war, the Naftogaz group became the gas supplier for about 12,5 million Ukrainian households (that’s 98% of the market, while before 2022 it was only 15%). And a company within its structure — Gazmerezhi — received broad powers to control consumers’ gas equipment. Meter inspections, boiler connections, and network maintenance became new points of contact with millions of Ukrainians. And, as criminal cases and residents’ accounts indicate, this also opened up a new method of “making money.”

Several residents of the Kyiv region contacted Telegraf and said they were offered from 10 to 20 thousand hryvnias to “resolve problems” with gas workers. Similar incidents have been recorded in other regions. Judging by criminal case materials, the bribe amount ranges from 12 thousand hryvnias up to three thousand dollars (about 136 thousand hryvnias).

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, which displaced regional gas companies and gas retailers, including those linked to Dmytro Firtash. At the same time, gas distribution and network maintenance are handled by LLC Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine (Gazmerezhi), which is also part of the group.

The company gained particular influence over consumers’ lives after mandatory maintenance of in-building gas networks was introduced. Since 2024, such inspections have been carried out in apartment buildings. Residents pay for them separately — the so-called “third bill,” alongside the bills for gas and its delivery.

During maintenance, gas workers check pipes, connections, valves, ventilation, and chimneys. They also enter apartments. If they find violations, gas can be disconnected.

For example, problems can arise from faulty ventilation, unauthorized equipment connections, or apartment remodeling. To restore gas, the owner will have to eliminate the violations, and sometimes practically redo renovations.

The schedule for maintenance of each apartment building across the country is published on Gazmerezhi’s websites. For example, in 2026 in the Kyiv region an inspection of 3019 apartment buildings is planned. And in 2025 they inspected 3093. Inspections occur every three to five years (depending on the building’s age).

They also publish reports stating inspection results. In the lion’s share of cases they recommend painting the gas pipe on the street and give several months to do so. Meanwhile, violations found in apartments are not included in the public reports.

Moreover, whether an in-apartment violation is documented depends on the employee who entered the apartment.

Kyiv region resident Sofiya told Telegraf that during maintenance gas was disconnected in four apartments in her building because of studio-type layouts. Current rules prohibit sleeping in a room where gas appliances operate.

“In our building they disconnected gas to four apartments. In all cases they were one-room studios. Even though the developer made that layout, they say it’s a violation of the rules. Building a wall now means redoing a lot of work. There are at least 18 studios in our building, but gas was disconnected in only four,” she said.

According to the woman, residents faced the need to remodel apartments to get gas back. At the same time, the question arises why identical layouts led to different inspection outcomes.

Such situations create a risk of petty corruption: a person who can be left without gas for an indefinite time becomes vulnerable to offers to “resolve the issue” for money.

“I know that in one residential complex they were even looking for someone to give a bribe to. Those who came to inspect silently turned the gas off. Those who managed to arrange something on the spot were luckier. Because later — it’s harder,” the woman says. The inspection in Sofiya’s building took place in 2026 and will occur every five years (that term is set for high-rise buildings up to 25 years old).

Inspections and huge fines

Even greater risks arise during meter inspections. If gas workers find broken seals or signs of tampering with the device, they must draw up a violation report. After the case is reviewed, the consumer may be charged for unaccounted gas. That is the gas that was theoretically used while the meter did not work. In some cases the amounts reach hundreds of thousands of hryvnias.

And here one can operate not only with anonymous complaints from Naftogaz customers. Telegraf analyzed the court decisions register and found a number of rulings containing pretrial investigation materials about possible bribes received by “gas workers.” It’s worth adding: there are no convictions in these cases yet, so it cannot be asserted that bribes actually occurred.

For example, on 6 October 2026 two Gazmerezhi employees came to a woman’s house in the Kyiv region to check the meter. They said the device was an old model and needed replacement. Later they claimed it was allegedly defective and that the owner had unlawfully consumed gas. They threatened her with a “fine” (in fact this refers to back charges) of 500 thousand hryvnias and disconnection of the house.

According to law enforcement, the employees offered not to draw up a report and not to disconnect the gas… for 3 thousand dollars. They repeated the demand several times, changing the deadline for handing over the money. One of the suspects, according to available information, was placed under house arrest as a preventive measure.

By the way, a “fine” of 500 thousand hryvnias is a quite possible scenario. The largest back charge after a gas workers’ inspection that could be found in the register was 1,5 million hryvnias. That amount was charged last year to a resident of Kharkiv region. According to Gazmerezhi employees, the man allegedly used a gas burner to heat a greenhouse without metering.

“Fee” — 10% of the fine amount

Another case occurred in June this year in Horodok, Khmelnytskyi region. Employees of the local Gazmerezhi site first replaced a woman’s meter, but later claimed its factory seals were damaged. According to the victim, they threatened her with a fine of 120 thousand hryvnias, but offered to settle the matter for 12 thousand. She was told the “problem” could be resolved for a “thank you” equal to 10% of the fine.

The money was to be handed over through a fitter. According to his testimony, the site manager instructed him to collect the funds and pass them on to her.

Petty corruption can arise not only during inspections but also when people try to connect gas equipment.

According to pretrial investigation data, in Kharkiv region a master of the gas network operations service of the Merefianska site allegedly demanded 45 thousand hryvnias from a local resident. For that money he promised to speed up the paperwork for installing a gas boiler.

Thus, extortion can occur at three stages: during equipment connection, meter inspection, and building maintenance. In each case the consumer depends on the decision of a specific employee, and the price of refusal can be very high — a fine, prolonged 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 of its gas distribution structures.

Note, Gazmerezhi is headed by Lyudmyla Kinder. Previously she led other companies within the Naftogaz group: the Gas Supply Company Naftogaz of Ukraine and Naftogaz Trading.

Telegraf sent inquiries to Naftogaz asking for comment on the materials cited. In particular, we asked:

At the time of publication we had not received a response. The leadership of Naftogaz and Gazmerezhi must not only provide substantive answers to these questions but also ensure everything possible is done to minimize corruption risks. After all, technical safety should not be turned into a tool of pressure on consumers, and access to gas should not become a privilege for which one must pay off the books. To be continued…