21.03.2025
Investigations
Kharkiv
Money laundering
Tenders
How the Kharkiv Regional Police Department earns money from the Kharkiv budget
The Kharkiv Oblast Police Department is a structural armed unit of the National Police of Ukraine located in the frontline region with the declared goal of “ensuring the safety of every resident.” However, in fact, the department has become a place for enrichment of its leaders through tender schemes involving budget funds.
This became especially evident in 2020, when the current head of the Department, Artem Fomenko, was promoted to a senior position.
Corruption scheme with fuel tenders
One of the most common and profitable schemes for Fomenko was the purchase of fuel for the needs of the Kharkiv Regional Police Department.
Thus, in 2024, a tender was announced for the purchase of 119,000 liters of A-95 gasoline and 86,000 liters of diesel fuel. As expected, there was only one company among the participants – INKAM FINANCE LLC, which became the winner with an offer of UAH 12,125,950.
According to the terms of the contract, the price of 1 liter of gasoline including VAT was UAH 59.99, and diesel fuel was UAH 57.99. However, at the time of the contract conclusion, the market price of fuel was much lower – UAH 55.89 per liter of gasoline and UAH 50.99 per liter of diesel. That is, the price was overstated by 10-15% of the real value.
It is interesting to note that numerous discriminatory requirements were found during the inspection of the documentation. For example, the requirement to provide documents of inspection at the gas station by a mobile laboratory significantly limited the possibility of participation in the tender for other suppliers who do not own gas stations. This contributed to the fact that only INCAM FINANCE had access to the necessary documents.
In addition, after signing the purchase agreement, Fomenko personally sent a letter to INKAM FINANCE LLC with a proposal to reduce the price of fuel to market levels: UAH 54.29 per liter of gasoline and UAH 51.89 per liter of diesel fuel. However, the expected recalculation of the cost never took place, and on May 31, 2024, the customer transferred UAH 5.3 million to the accounts of the private LLC INKAM FINANCE. Fomenko himself refrained from commenting. Therefore, we can say that Fomenko’s letters to the company are just a way to create an imaginary reaction and a possibility of whitewashing his reputation in the future.
Tender for candy from the Security Police Department
In December 2024, a tender was announced for the purchase of 220 gift sets of candy. At first glance, the tender amount looked modest – UAH 99,959.20. However, if you look at the details, it becomes clear that there were manipulations here as well.
The only tenderer and winner was FAVORITO LLC, which received an order for the supply of sweets. Interestingly, the cost of one set was 454.36 UAH. However, neither the weight nor the actual cost of the gift sets was disclosed in the contract. Moreover, the contract was not publicly disclosed, which made it possible to conceal the real cost of the purchase and the justification for the funds spent.
This approach is a classic example of the use of tender procurement for personal enrichment. Although the procurement was for gifts for the New Year holidays, it is not just a meaningless waste – it is a vivid example of how even the smallest procurement can be used as a tool for misappropriation of public funds.
Law enforcement or how to misappropriate millions
The year 2025 was no exception in terms of tender schemes. The Police Protection Department in Kharkiv region has become a participant and winner of a tender, this time for the provision of public security and law enforcement services for the Kharkiv City Council. The contract, concluded on January 28, 2025, provides for the Police Protection Department to receive UAH 5,393,707.20 for the provision of physical security for several facilities in Kharkiv.
The document states that the annual cost of security for each facility is UAH 2,696,853.00. However, the question arises: will these funds really be spent on providing security for these facilities, or will the scheme of misappropriation of budget funds be used again?
Given the previous fraudulent tenders, it is possible that in this case, the cost of services will be overstated or part of the budget funds that should have been used to ensure security in the city will be misappropriated.
The wealth of the head of the Police Department Fomenko
Fomenko’s financial status suddenly increased when he joined the Security Police Department. While in 2020 his annual declaration showed modest income, a year later the situation changed dramatically. Fomenko began declaring significant amounts of cash: $5,000 in 2020, $16,000 in 2022, and $24,000 in 2023. However, what is surprising is that these monetary assets do not correspond at all to his official income, in particular the salary he received as deputy chief until 2020.
His wife, who is engaged in entrepreneurial activity, did not declare any official income either. This increases the likelihood that these funds are not of legal origin, but are the result of abuses in the public procurement process.
What is the current situation?
Fomenko and his Office organized and received:
- UAH 2 million in “earnings” from the fuel scheme.
- 50 thousand UAH – overpayment for New Year’s gifts for children(!), which were purchased at inflated prices.
- UAH 5.3 million – a new contract from the city authorities, which is likely to be fraudulent as well.
In view of the above, we have sent materials to the entire management of the Kharkiv Regional Police Department: from the relevant Department of the Protection Police to the leadership of the National Police and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We demand a response and immediate action.
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