The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has seized 18m cu.m. of gas that companies of pro-Russian oligarch Vadym Novynskyy stored in Ukrtransgaz's storage facilities and tried to alienate in favour of third parties to avoid the National Security and Defence Council's sanctions. The total value of the seized volumes of gas exceeds UAH 144m, the SBU said.
"To avoid NSDC sanctions, Novynskyy re-registered his own gas production companies to several affiliates directly linked to the Russian Federation. He engaged private notaries and state registrars under his control to carry out the fraud. However, SBU officers exposed the criminal scheme and blocked it," it said.
Investigative actions are being carried out under Article 111-2 (aiding the aggressor state) to establish all the circumstances of the crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Earlier, the SBU initiated the seizure of property worth more than UAH 3.5bn belonging to Novynskyy. The list of blocked assets includes corporate rights to 40 Ukrainian companies and 30 gas wells. According to the investigation, he is involved in aiding the aggressor country.