The Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office and the State Bureau of Investigations reported suspicions against the forest master of the Berehivskyi forestry of the "Carpathian Forest Office" branch, who caused over 5.2 million hryvnias in damages to the state due to improper performance of official duties.

According to the investigation materials, during inspections in the forestry area, law enforcement officers discovered 256 stumps of illegally felled oaks without signs of being designated for logging. It has been established that the illegal logging of trees occurred within six compartments of the forestry in the autumn and winter of 2024-2025.

The conclusion of the conducted forensic examination confirmed the damages incurred.

The actions of the suspect have been classified as official negligence that caused severe consequences (part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Currently, the issue of choosing a preventive measure for him is being resolved.

Under the procedural guidance of the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office of the Transcarpathian Regional Prosecutor's Office, the pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the investigative department (located in Uzhhorod) of the Territorial Administration of the State Bureau of Investigations, based in Lviv, with operational support from the Security Service of Ukraine in the Transcarpathian region and assistance from the Department of Internal Security of the State Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine".

It is worth noting that earlier, a scheme for the illegal sale of valuable oak timber worth 1 million hryvnias was uncovered in the Berehivskyi forestry of the "Carpathian Forest Office" branch. The head of the institution has been notified of suspicion of abuse of office, which caused severe consequences.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a guilty verdict of the court.