Land near Bukovel was rezoned for development based on forged documents
Law enforcement officials have notified seven individuals of their status as suspects in an alleged scheme involving the illegal seizure of forest land near Bukovel. According to the investigation, the plots—valued at nearly 38 million hryvnias—were intended for future development.
Law enforcement officials have announced charges against seven members of an alleged criminal organization suspected of illegally seizing forest land near the Bukovel resort. This was reported by Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko.
According to preliminary findings, the case involves 17 hectares of forest within the Polianytsia Forest District of the Vorokhta Forestry Enterprise. The total value of these lands is estimated at nearly 38 million hryvnias.
The case involves 14 land plots which, according to investigators, were illegally removed from the forest fund. Law enforcement officials believe that the ultimate goal was commercial development of the area, which is located near one of the country’s most popular ski resorts.
According to the Prosecutor General, the former head of the State Geocadastre department in Yaremche, former law enforcement officials—including prosecutors—as well as engineers, geologists, surveyors, local businesspeople, and developers may have been involved in the scheme. Investigators claim that the group’s members used forged documents and fictitious technical documentation. In addition, the plots were assigned cadastral numbers and then registered under the names of front men. “The ultimate goal was the subsequent commercial development of these territories,” Ruslan Kravchenko said.
The prosecutor’s office notes that this is not the first incident in this case. Six other participants in the scheme have already been brought to justice. The court found them guilty and handed down sentences. In total, law enforcement agencies have already filed 13 indictments with the court. Additionally, through the court, the state has managed to recover 26 land plots which, according to the investigation, had been illegally appropriated. The investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement officials continue to establish all the circumstances of the case and identify any other possible participants in the scheme.
The prosecutor’s office emphasizes that the land in question is part of the forest fund, which has special status and cannot be used for development without following the appropriate legal procedures. That is why the case is being viewed as one of the largest land fraud schemes in the region in recent years. This was reported by Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko.
The Bukovel resort has launched a dashboard displaying air quality and drinking water quality metrics. The online dashboard is constantly updated and available to everyone via this link.
