Security specialists from NAK Naftogaz of Ukraine and Gas Distribution Networks of Ukraine LLC uncovered a large-scale gas theft scheme involving one of the gas filling compressor stations in Sumy, according to the company's press service.
During data analysis, experts identified a significant discrepancy between the volumes of gas the station declared and what it actually used. Additionally, security personnel discovered that the enterprise had expanded its operations to Vinnytsia Oblast.
Following applications from Gas Networks, law enforcement opened criminal proceedings. Investigators, with assistance from Gas Networks security, discovered unauthorized interference with metering devices at the Sumy enterprise. In Vinnytsia, they found a possible site of illegal connection to the gas distribution network.
Law enforcement conducted 25 searches and seized evidence of illegal activity, according to the company. Based on inspection results at the gas filling stations in Sumy and Vinnytsia, Gas Networks specialists compiled violation reports.
The perpetrators must pay 56.6 million hryvnias ($1.2 mn) in penalty sanctions for gas theft. The Vinnytsia Regional Prosecutor's Office has announced suspicion to one official.
The discovery represents the latest in a series of gas theft cases uncovered by Naftogaz Group. Earlier, security services identified unauthorized gas withdrawal in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where preliminary damages to the state were estimated at over 164 million hryvnias ($3.8 mn). In that case, four individuals were notified of suspicion and one was detained.
Gas Networks also reported detecting gas theft on a Sumy industrial enterprise, where representatives systematically used special technical devices to stop meters. Penalty sanctions for that incident exceeded 5 million hryvnias ($116,000).
In the Carpathian Oblast, specialists identified and eliminated an illegal connection to the gas distribution network involving a large industrial enterprise. Preliminary assessments indicated damages reaching millions of hryvnias, with penalty sanctions estimated at approximately 100 million hryvnias ($2.3 mn).
