Millions were stolen from heating for schools and hospitals: nearly 90% of cases have been referred to court

Since the start of the full-scale war, the National Police has investigated more than 100 criminal proceedings into abuses in supplying schools, hospitals and other municipal institutions with heat and energy resources. Almost 90% of the cases have already been referred to court.

This was reported on August 3, 2026 by Censor.NET, citing a comment from the acting head of the National Police of Ukraine, Maksym Tsutskiridze.

Law enforcement investigated the supply of low-quality coal to schools and hospitals, payment for undelivered firewood and fuel briquettes, and inflated prices for gas, electricity and heat energy. There were also cases of replacing generators, boilers and radiators and transferring funds for works that were actually not performed.

“Losses in individual cases range from 50 thousand to almost 70 million hryvnias“, — noted Maksym Tsutskiridze.

Suspects are most often prosecuted for embezzlement of budget funds, abuse of office, official forgery and negligence. For such crimes they may face 5 to 8 years in prison. If it concerns particularly large sums or the activity of an organized group, the punishment can be up to 12 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property. On the eve of the new heating season, the leadership of the National Police has taken these proceedings under special control.

“We will monitor especially closely the completion of ongoing investigations and will promptly respond to new instances of abuse,” — said Tsutskiridze.

Previously we wrote:

• Instead of heat — losses and accidents: a multimillion scheme uncovered in Mykolaiv Oblast
• At “Mykolaivoblteploenerho” they are looking for an anti-corruption officer with a salary starting at 31,600 hryvnias
• Million-hryvnia salaries amid losses: directors of Mykolaiv’s municipal enterprises receive huge payouts
• Works weren’t checked, but the money was paid: dubious procurements worth millions found in Mykolaiv Oblast

• Hospital renovation: the tiles were already in place, but the budget money was paid a second time