Companies closely associated with the Office of the President of Ukraine are suspected of embezzling 16 million euros

“Ukrzaliznytsia” bypassed the tender process and directly contracted “Minerfin-Trans LLC” for rail procurement worth 16 millions euros, paying the highest price this year. The Ukrainian rail company previously purchased rails from various suppliers at different prices. However, their attempt to acquire Chinese rails at lower costs was disrupted, Nashi Groshi reported.

These business connections extend to other ventures, such as ore transportation and solar energy projects. Notably, Oleg Shurma, the brother of a high-ranking government official Rostyslav Shurma, is involved in the solar energy business. Concerns arose about the dealings between “Zaporizhstal” and “Minerfin” regarding ilmenite imports from Egypt, which led to dismissals within “Zaporizhstal.”

“Minerfin” had been a supplier to Zaporizhzhia Iron Ore Plant before its occupation in 2022. “Minerfin” and associated companies continued to receive money from Ukraine even after the plant’s occupation by supplying electricity to the occupiers. Oleg Shurma’s business partner, Oleksandr Zapishny, is involved in the “EDS-Engineering” company, which secured contracts worth 12,2 million euros for energy facility reconstruction from “Ukrzaliznytsia” subsidiaries. These connections raise concerns about procurement practices and potential conflicts of interest within key Ukrainian industries.