Kyiv Uncovers Fraud Scheme in Demining Sector

On Thursday, October 19, 2023, the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) of Ukraine reported the detection of a fraudulent scheme within the demining sector. The suspects allegedly deceived authorities to obtain state funds by asserting that they had cleared territories that had already been demined. The total amount the fraudsters attempted to appropriate is 6.3 million hryvnias, equivalent to approximately 144,000 US dollars.

According to information from the SBI, in May 2025, the suspects won tenders for demining land plots covering 122 hectares (301 acres) in the Kherson region. These areas had already been cleared of mines through the EU's 'Ukraine Fund' in 2023-2024. At that time, the land was already being farmed by local farmers, indicating that demining work was unnecessary.

Among the suspects, the SBI identified the director of a private demining company and the head of a sapper group. The SBI's press release stated: 'In reality, these areas had already been cleared of explosive objects in 2023-2024, and the land was being cultivated by farmers. Despite this, the accused decided to merely simulate the execution of work to obtain funds.'

The Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office, in a separate press release, revealed that the demining company under investigation is registered in Kyiv, where its accomplices 'created several controlled enterprises' to participate in demining tenders. This indicates that the fraudsters acted in an organized manner and managed to create a facade of legitimacy for their actions.

The SBI also noted that the suspects falsified the need for demining by placing 'objects resembling munitions' for inspections. Following this, false data was entered to simulate the completion of demining work. 'To create the appearance of demining, sappers were sent to the fields to perform demonstration actions: digging the soil, placing objects resembling munitions, and 'detecting' them during inspections,' the SBI reported.

Subsequently, acts of completed work with false data were drawn up and signed by, among others, land users. The Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office also stated that farmers involved in this scheme have already been charged.

This case highlights serious issues in the oversight of government spending in Ukraine, especially in wartime conditions where every hryvnia must be used as effectively as possible. Fraud in the demining sector is particularly dangerous, as it jeopardizes the lives of individuals returning to cleared territories.

Law enforcement continues to investigate to identify all individuals involved in this fraudulent scheme and hold them accountable. It is crucial for Ukrainian society to be aware of such cases and support the government's efforts in combating corruption and fraud.