According to the investigation, after the occupation of part of the Luhansk region, they organized the illegal use of the state property complex of the "Bilorichenska" mine. All its shares belong to the state, specifically to the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine.

The former minister, being a shareholder of a company registered in Moscow, along with his partner, who headed the enterprise and became the "CEO," made arrangements with representatives of the so-called "LNR" and the Russian Federation. They signed a number of agreements under which the mine was leased to structures controlled by Russia. Subsequently, the Russian agency "Rosnedra" issued a "license" for the use of Ukrainian subsoil until 2033.

In January 2024, during an international forum in Moscow, the "CEO" signed a contract with the "Minister of Fuel and Energy of the LNR." At that time, the former minister was controlling the process and maintaining contacts with Russian high-ranking officials. They repeatedly visited the occupied mine, making public statements about "investments" and plans for the development of coal mining.

In 2024, the mine extracted over 260 thousand tons of coal. The mined coal was sold in the territories of the so-called LNR, DNR, and in Russia.

The investigation believes that through their actions, the suspects assisted the aggressor state in carrying out the "reform of the coal industry" in temporarily occupied territories, illegally appropriated Ukrainian subsoil, and ensured the operation of the occupation administration. Their actions caused significant damage to the state interests of Ukraine.

The prosecutor has already submitted a motion for the arrest of the suspect's property. The issue of declaring both men wanted and choosing a preventive measure is also being resolved.

The pre-trial investigation and operational support are carried out by the Main Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Note: according to the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court and established by a guilty verdict.