A quiet case with loud consequences
Law enforcement officers have notified three officials of suspicion of embezzling more than UAH 1.2 million during the major renovation of Kyiv's Hydropark. The suspects are the deputy head of the department at the municipal enterprise "Kyivzelenbud", the director of a private company, and a cost estimator — they are suspected of collusion and inflating prices for building materials, the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office reports. The case is important not only because of the sum involved, but also because of questions about oversight of budget expenditures and the restoration of urban spaces.
"Law enforcement officers have notified three officials of suspicion of embezzling more than UAH 1.2 million during the major renovation of Kyiv's Hydropark."
— Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office
What the investigation found
According to the investigation, in 2024 the municipal enterprise "Kyivzelenbud" signed a contract with a private company for the major overhaul of Hydropark. During the execution of the works, the officials allegedly prepared an estimate with inflated prices for materials, which allowed them to increase the cost of the works by more than UAH 1.2 million. The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Dnipro District Police Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv with operational support from the Strategic Investigations unit in Kyiv of the National Police's Department of Strategic Investigations.
Which articles are being alleged
Suspicions have been brought under parts of several articles of the Criminal Code: part 5 of Article 27, part 4 of Article 191, part 2 of Article 28, and part 2 of Article 366 — provisions related to embezzlement and official crimes, as well as possible official forgery. The sanction provides for five to eight years’ imprisonment with additional restrictions on holding office.
Background: a series of high-profile probes
- On March 12 the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR), with the support of the National Police, detained three executives of Kyivzelenbud (the general director, the first deputy, and the deputy head of the capital investments department) on suspicion of organizing a corruption scheme.
- During searches at Kyivzelenbud approximately UAH 3.2 million in "kickbacks" was seized, plus roughly 1 million more in various currencies.
- On March 17 two officials were notified of suspicion in the appropriation of nearly UAH 5 million in repairs of parks and squares.
Why it matters
This is not only about specific sums — it concerns the efficiency of budget spending and the public’s trust in the management of urban spaces. When park renovations are funded with public resources, every hryvnia must be accountable and transparent. Cases of this kind undermine not only financial indicators but also the social trust needed to restore and develop cities.
What’s next
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, followed by trial and possible recovery of lost funds. The question for authorities and the public is whether it will be possible not only to hold those responsible to account but also to strengthen control mechanisms to minimize similar risks. Will systemic changes be sufficient to protect taxpayers' money and restore trust in local management of the city's spaces?
