The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has [officially charged](https://dbr.gov.ua/news/nezakonni-rubki-na-ponad-5-3-mln-grn-dbr-povidomilo-pro-pidozru-ekskerivnictvu-lisgospu-na-lvivshhini) the former head of the Zolochiv Forestry state enterprise and his first deputy with environmental crimes. Investigators found that the actions of these officials resulted in illegal logging that caused over 5.3 million UAH in damages to the environment. This case highlights the systemic corruption risks within state resource management.
According to the SBI, throughout 2022, the officials authorized logging operations in protected areas where such activities were strictly forbidden. They knowingly signed illegal logging permits, which served as a veneer of legality for their actions. The former director issued five permits, causing 4.5 million UAH in damages, while his deputy facilitated further damage totaling over 681,000 UAH. The workers tasked with the logging were unaware of the illicit nature of their orders, believing they were performing legitimate tasks.
The ecological impact is severe: 1,184 trees were destroyed, including valuable species like oak, beech, pine, spruce, birch, and linden, covering an area of over 34 hectares. Investigations indicate that the stolen timber was sold through private companies specializing in wood processing, enriching the suspects at the expense of the state.
The charges filed against the suspects include illegal logging resulting in grave consequences (Part 4, Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and abuse of power (Part 3, Article 365). If convicted, the former officials face up to 10 years in prison. The Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office is overseeing the ongoing investigation, aiming to identify all participants in this organized scheme to hold them accountable for the massive destruction of forest resources.