27.11.2024 Construction Corruption Kyiv Tenders

35 years of corruption: Podilsko-Voskresenskyi Bridge is opening, but at what cost?

У Києві відкрили Подільсько-Воскресенський міст — Cуспільне Київ

On December 1, Kyiv will inaugurate the legendary Podilsko-Voskresenskyi Bridge, which has been under construction for almost as long as Ukraine has been independent. But instead of being a pride of infrastructure breakthrough, this bridge has become a symbol of years of corruption and impunity.

What is known about the construction of the bridge?

The Podilsko-Voskresenskyi Bridge is 35 years of unfinished construction, dozens of criminal cases, and at least tens of billions of hryvnias stolen through fictitious tenders, “own” contractors, and utilities. And all of this is done under the cover of law enforcement not only in Kyiv, but also in Ukraine.

The bridge has long since lost its original purpose and has become a financial tool for those who are “in the know.”

Klitschko and his close partner Denys Komarnytskyi are skillfully using this facility for money laundering schemes.

This is confirmed by a number of law enforcement exposés. For example, in May 2023, the prosecutor’s office submitted to the court an indictment against the head of Eco-Bud-Trade LLC, a contractor for the construction of the bridge, controlled by Komarnytskyi. He was accused of embezzling over UAH 36 million. The case concerned the overstatement of the cost of renting construction machinery and equipment by almost UAH 104 million including VAT.

In addition, in April 2023, the State Financial Monitoring Service revealed another scheme: in March-April, UAH 407.95 million was transferred to the accounts of Eco-Bud-Trade LLC and Citylight Form LLC. These funds were supposed to be used for the completion of the bridge, but instead they were used for other purposes:

  • They were placed on deposit accounts of controlled companies.
  • They were used to repay loans.
  • Introduced into “transit” schemes through fictitious companies.
  • They were used for “financial assistance” and other dubious transactions.

According to our materials, even the Main Investigation Department of the Security Service of Ukraine registered the information in the URPI under No. 22024000000000523, Part 1 of Art. 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. As well as the BES in Kyiv – under No. 42023140000000282, part 3 of Article 212 of the Criminal Code and the Darnytsia District Prosecutor’s Office in Kyiv – under No. 42024102020000024, part 4 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code.

However, despite the high-profile revelations, law enforcement officials are in no hurry to investigate the case. And the city authorities continued to allocate additional tranches for the completion of the bridge, knowing full well that all previous funds had been put into Komarnytskyi’s personal pocket.

Schemes at utility companies

In October 2024, it became known about the decision of the Kyiv City Council to increase the authorized capital of the Spetszhilofond utility by a record 3 billion hryvnias. Although this utility is positioned as a savior for housing construction, in reality it can only become a tool for large-scale money laundering.

Rumor has it that Komarnitsky, the “gray cardinal” of Kyiv politics, has already secured control of the new utility company. In view of this, he now has the opportunity to gain full control over the developments through Spetszhilofond. Thus, Kyiv will face a situation where land, budget funds, and contracts will be concentrated in the same hands.

Thanks to his influence on the Kyiv authorities, Komarnitsky will be able to implement large-scale developments, from which millions of hryvnias will end up in the pockets of the “right people.”

The funds are allegedly allocated for housing for internally displaced persons, but the ultimate beneficiaries remain unchanged.

And while the depositors are left without housing and money, instead of helping people, the government is transferring budget billions to new projects. And Spetszhilofond receives complete carte blanche to develop city land and budget funds without real transparency.

The Kyiv Prosecutor’s Office and the Kyiv police not only turn a blind eye to obvious crimes, but also actively help to avoid responsibility for those involved in the schemes.

So should we be happy about the opening of the bridge from which billions disappeared? Or the creation of a new ME that will monopolistically absorb the capital’s budget without helping abandoned investors?

Did you witness a crime?

Let us know about it. We will help protect the violated rights!

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