27.02.2025 Corruption Fortification Money laundering Reconstruction of Ukraine

Frontline Chernihiv region suffers from corruption of local authorities. Villas in Spain and elite cars of Chernihiv Regional State Administration officials

Вячеслав Чаус - досье, биография, фото, последние новости - ПАРЛАМЕНТ.UA

The frontline Chernihiv region continues to suffer not only from enemy missiles and shaheds, but also from corruption of local authorities. And while Ukrainians are giving the last of their money to the army and border fortification, the Chernihiv Regional State Administration has launched a large-scale scheme worth 135 million, built to restore Chernihiv region destroyed by the aggressor. Chaus, the head of the DEC, his deputy Sinenko, and Kryvenko, the director of the Energy Efficiency Department, distribute tenders among “their” firms.

How the “kickback” operation works

The Department of Energy Efficiency, Transport, Communications and Housing and Communal Services of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration, represented by the management of this unit, concludes public procurement contracts so that the winners of the tenders are companies controlled by local authorities. In particular, we are talking about the following legal entities:

  • “CHERNIHIVTORG” LLC
  • LLC “SKLOPLUS”
  • PRESTIGE-TECHOIL LLC
  • LLC “INNOVATIVE WINDOORS”
  • “INTERA CHERNIHIV” LTD.

The purpose of this scheme is to embezzle and misappropriate budget funds by artificially inflating the cost of construction materials and works during tenders. It was found that the prices for lumber were increased to UAH 15,000 per cubic meter, which is many times higher than market prices.

Using prices significantly higher than market prices, the Chernihiv DPA entered into agreements with controlled enterprises, which led to the misuse of budget funds. Here are some examples of overpricing of construction materials in 2022, when the territory of Chernihiv region had just been de-occupied by the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

  1. OSB board (2500×1250 mm, 10-14 mm) – market price UAH 425, purchase price UAH 609.84.
  2. Film – market price 14.56 UAH/m², purchase price 43.20 UAH/m².
  3. Aerated concrete block – market price 3200 UAH/m³, purchase price 4020 UAH/m³.
  4. 70 mm nails – market price 57.60 UAH/kg, purchase price 70.80 UAH/kg.
  5. Lumber – market price 5300 UAH/m³, purchase for 15,000 UAH/m³.

This is just one of the many examples that demonstrates the massive overpricing of basic materials. Thus, we are talking not about thousands but millions of misappropriated hryvnias.

Construction of fortifications without projects

Another part of the corruption scheme is the construction of fortifications without proper design and estimate documentation. For example, at the defense facilities around Chernihiv, where significant sums of money were spent on the work, none of the projects met the standards, which allowed for the misuse of resources. According to the State Audit Service, tens of millions of hryvnias were stolen during construction. But why no action was taken is a controversial question.

And why Chaus, the head of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration, along with his deputy Sinenko, have not yet been held accountable for the schemes that took place in the region.

Is Dmytro Synenko the main “decision-maker” of Chernihiv region?

Чернігівська ОДА

The key figure in the schemes that are circulating in Chernihiv region is Dmytro Synenko, deputy head of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration. It is through him that most significant reconstruction projects in the region go through, and he has a real influence on the distribution of budget funds.

Not only in the reconstruction of the lyceum, but also in other facilities controlled by Sinenko, the kickback scheme works flawlessly. Some of the funds from tenders for construction materials to rebuild the victims’ homes also disappear, and a number of companies systematically inflate the prices of construction materials, while their real value is much lower.

Dmytro Sinenko’s father, Hryhoriy, is the head of religious organizations that are part of the Simferopol and Crimean Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. This organization officially supported the armed aggression of the Russian Federation and carried out activities aimed at legitimizing the occupation regime.

According to the information received, Sinenko was considered by Russian curators as a potential candidate for the post of head of the occupation administration of Chernihiv region in the event that Russian military forces establish control there.

So is the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration really interested in defending the frontline region?

In addition, Sinenko actively manipulates the Shlyakh system, issuing permits to those who have nothing to do with transportation by submitting requests on behalf of “volunteers” for illegal travel abroad.

The consequence of such schemes is obvious: Synenko’s own enrichment through bribes for a “positive” decision to issue permits. Thus, during the war, the official has already acquired: An apartment in Spain (Alicante) and an Audi Q8 SUV (2023), and these are just the assets that have become known.

In addition to the obvious abuse of power, Sinenko uses administrative resources to intimidate opponents and suppress any criticism. According to local activists, administrative measures are often used against those who oppose corruption schemes, including forced referrals to the TCC and threats of mobilization.

Even the media field in Chernihiv region is known to be under Synenko’s control, and attempts at investigations or critical publications that question his activities are often blocked. The press operating at the regional level has little or no opportunity to report on the real facts of corruption in the EMB without risking the safety of its journalists.

One of the few people who dared to speak out against these abuses is public figure and volunteer Oleh Serik. In October 2023, he released an audio recording in which a local criminal figure threatens him for exposing corruption schemes in the Chernihiv DMA, as well as documents showing that construction materials purchased to rebuild the homes of Chernihiv residents are overpriced – sometimes by five times.

All of this is already being investigated by law enforcement agencies in Chernihiv Oblast, but, as we can see, there are no results. That is why we have submitted new materials with a full description of the circumstances. We are taking the case under our control and will demand immediate action.

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