The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office have referred to court a criminal case against former First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky (currently Deputy Minister of Economy, Ecology and Agriculture) and a former Deputy Minister of Economy. They are accused of abusing their official positions for an amount of nearly UAH 64 million during the procurement of food products through PJSC “Ukrzaliznytsia” in conditions of martial law.
Читай нас також у Viber та Telegram.
Two Episodes – One Scheme
According to the indictment, in March 2022, when the state urgently provided food to regional military administrations, a scheme for purchasing food at artificially inflated prices was implemented.
In the first episode, products from a Polish manufacturer were purchased through a controlled intermediary company, and then resold to the state at a price more than twice the market price – from 30 to 75 UAH per kilogram. A top official, who, according to the investigation, knew the real value of goods from weekly State Statistics data, ensured the approval of invoices and the transfer of funds. The overpayment to Ukrzaliznytsia amounted to over UAH 28.8 million.
In the second episode, a similar scheme was applied with the involvement of a Turkish supplier: the price increased from 30 to 55 UAH/kg. According to the case materials, the Deputy Minister of Economy also participated in the scheme – his role was to conceal information about more advantageous offers from other suppliers, including Ukrainian manufacturers. The overpayment in this episode reached 35.1 million UAH, and the received funds, according to the investigation, were transferred to a foreign company with signs of fictitiousness.
The crime was uncovered in August 2023, and the investigation was completed in December 2024.
Ministry’s Reaction
The Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture responded to the case being sent to court, emphasizing the need to adhere to the presumption of innocence principle. The Ministry reminded that decisions in the first months of the full-scale invasion were made in conditions of extreme uncertainty and logistical disruptions, and coordination by Vysotsky, according to the Ministry’s assessment, helped avoid food supply disruptions.
“Objective, impartial, and professional consideration of the case in court is the only basis for conclusions and decisions,” the Ministry’s official statement said.
According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered innocent until a court’s guilty verdict becomes legally binding.