Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Rostyslav Shurma, who himself covers major corruption schemes during the war, revealed a scheme for transferring billions of dollars abroad

The representatives within the Office of the President of Ukraine, who themselves are allegedly involved in some of the country’s largest corruption schemes during the war, have disclosed a scheme involving the diversion of billions of dollars abroad amid grain-related activities.

Recently, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers blocked a scheme involving the export of black grain, which allowed billions of dollars to be siphoned out of Ukraine during the full-scale war with Russia.

Deputy Head of the President’s Office, Rostyslav Shurma, who himself was embroiled in a major corruption scandal a few months ago, revealed that billions of dollars were funneled out of Ukraine through the existence of this scheme.

“Regarding the figures, it’s crucial to handle them very responsibly. They range from several billion to $20 billion depending on the methodology. I believe time will tell. Many transactions are yet to reach their payment deadlines, many transactions were funneled into ‘gray’ zone companies by closing bank accounts and remaining unaccounted for. But we are certain it involves billions. Within the next month or two, we will establish the exact amount and hold each participant in this accountable,” promised the Deputy Head of the President’s Office.

He expressed his belief that major Ukrainian grain traders might not have been involved in this scheme, though he did not rule out the possibility.

“People assume it was some significant centralized scheme. The point is that it was an entirely decentralized affair initiated by hundreds of various entrepreneurs, if they can be called that. These weren’t major grain traders. Firstly, it’s administratively very challenging, and secondly, there are risks associated where you might lose your credit history, face criminal prosecution. Predominantly, it was the non-systemic medium-sized companies engaged in this,” assured Shurma.

“Although I don’t exclude the possibility that individual major grain traders or their managers, for instance, might have conducted certain isolated transactions,” added the Deputy Head of the President’s Office.

According to the Bureau of Economic Security, from January to September 2023, risky enterprises exported grains of unknown origin worth 133.9 billion hryvnias, accounting for over 20% of the total quantity.

Thus, in an attempt to divert public attention from their own corruption scandals, authorities are endeavoring to combat shadow businesses.

Moreover, Shurma, who is involved in business activities in Ukraine’s uncontrollable territories, stated that in 90% of cases, Ukrainian businesses themselves violate laws and then complain about law enforcement pressure.

“There’s a lot of background noise about how much they’re being pressured, how difficult it is for businesses, how poorly things operate in the country, how law enforcement agencies oppress businesses. But when you delve into specific examples, unfortunately, it all boils down to the same thing – ‘but we’re aiding the army,’ ‘but we’re fundamentally good,’ ‘so we have the right to do whatever we want,’ not paying taxes, obtaining licenses without competitions, extracting minerals without licenses, violating any targeted land use,” explained the Deputy Head of the President’s Office.

According to Shurma, 30% of business representatives employ a similar argument.

At the same time, it’s worth recalling that until the summer of 2023, solar power stations, co-owned by close associates of Deputy Head of the President’s Office, Rostyslav Shurma, were receiving payments under the “green tariff” despite being under Russian occupation and likely having no connection to the Ukrainian energy system.

Specifically, these solar stations include LLC KD Energy 2, NP Naсprod, LLC Renewable Energy Zaporizhzhia, LLC Green Energy Tokmak, and LLC Grandpower LLC in the Zaporizhzhia region.

According to journalists, between July 2022 and July 2023, these companies collectively received over 320 million hryvnias as payment for electricity under the “green tariff” from the state enterprise Guaranteed Buyer. However, for KD Energy 2, Naсprod, and Renewable Energy Zaporizhzhia, it’s impossible to distinguish payments for debts from previous periods, if such existed.

The co-owners of KD Energy 2 and Renewable Energy Zaporizhzhia are Rostyslav Shurma’s brother, Oleg Shurma. Meanwhile, the co-owners of the other two listed companies – Green Energy Tokmak and Grandpower LLC – include Ruslan Bozhko, a former subordinate of an official.

Additionally, it’s noted that NP Naсprod is also mentioned among the implemented projects on the corporate website, showcasing the “green” projects of Oleg Shurma and partners.

Solar stations belonging to businessman Vasiliy Khmelnytsky and partners, along with several other lesser-known producers, also received payments under the “green tariff” during the occupation.

Most stations located in the temporarily occupied territory of the Zaporizhzhia region have been operating in an asynchronous mode with Ukraine’s unified energy system since July 1, 2022. Electricity from these stations likely couldn’t enter the Ukrainian market and therefore couldn’t be sold there.

Guaranteed Buyer is obligated to pay for the electricity it sells to the market. Payment for electricity that Guaranteed Buyer couldn’t sell results in losses for the state enterprise.