The court acquitted the head of "Kharkiv Heat Networks" of criminal charges
The Slobidskyi District Court of Kharkiv acquitted Stanislav Zabolotskyi, head of the local branch of the municipal enterprise “Kharkiv Heat Networks,” of criminal charges of official negligence.
The official, whose actions caused serious consequences for the budget, was released on probation to the company’s workforce for a period of one year.
According to the court’s decision, Zabolotsky was released from custody on the condition that he prove himself worthy of his colleagues’ trust over the course of the year.
The official is required not to evade corrective measures and to strictly observe public order while performing his professional duties.
The criminal proceedings concerned events that took place prior to February 2022, when Zabolotsky held the position of deputy head of the Shevchenkivskyi branch of the municipal enterprise “Kharkiv Heat Networks.”
At that time, the company entered into a contract with Erebus-LV LLC for the installation of an individual heating unit.
The investigation established that the official signed a certificate of completion for 588,000 hryvnias without actually verifying the quality and scope of the services provided.
As a result of this signing of documents, funds were unjustifiably transferred to the accounts of the private contractor.
According to investigators from the Kharkiv Anti-Corruption Center (KACC), the total amount paid to this contractor for the project was 1.18 million hryvnias.
It was the manager’s negligence in approving the reports that led to the loss of a significant amount of municipal property.
In November 2025, the staff of the municipal enterprise “Kharkiv Heating Networks” filed an official petition with the court requesting that their colleague be released from liability.
The document was supported by the minutes of the meeting, an official guarantee, and positive character references for the defendant.
The staff emphasized that Zabolotsky is a highly skilled professional who has made a significant contribution to ensuring the functioning of Kharkiv during martial law.
In addition, the official had previously been awarded an honorary certificate from the Kharkiv City Council for his diligent work.
During the court hearing, the representative of the prosecutor’s office spoke out categorically against granting the motion for release on bail.
The prosecution insisted on continuing the trial and imposing a real punishment for the crime committed.
As a reminder, a court in Kharkiv refused to recognize a same-sex couple as a family.
Also, a former deputy from the Odesa region will stand trial for treason.
