"Favorite contractors" and tenders without competition: how Syniehubov’s entourage is plundering billions on reconstruction

Kharkiv region suffers daily from missile strikes, leaving hundreds of families without homes. Instead of focusing all efforts on restoring destroyed buildings, Governor Syniehubov continues to embezzle budget funds. Let us recall the scandals from two years ago, when information about the disappearance of billions of hryvnias surfaced online. Despite significant public outcry, no real consequences or punishment of those responsible followed.

Syniehubov promised to investigate where exactly the funds had gone. Yet what kind of investigation can be expected when he himself selects “suitable” contractors based on their willingness to share budget money. This concerns, in particular, Deputy Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Ihor Turchenko and Director of the Capital Construction Department Anatoliy Borysenko, who, by awarding tenders for reconstruction and shelters using international aid and Kharkiv Regional Military Administration funds, are effectively increasing their own wealth.

An analysis of the Prozorro platform shows that LLC “TT 2006” holds a special place among such “chosen” companies, regularly receiving contracts from the Kharkiv Regional State Administration. In particular, a tender worth UAH 176.6 million in the education sector was conducted under conditions that effectively eliminated competition. The tender documentation contained requirements that reduced the pool of participants to a minimum, so the procurement was carried out with only one bidder.

Among such conditions was the mandatory existence of several similar contracts with a full set of documents, while simplified requirements were set for “their own” contractors. In addition, ISO certificates and mandatory personal familiarization with the project documentation were required. This approach created artificial barriers for new participants and ensured victory for a pre-determined company.

At the same time, two other procurements — worth UAH 86.5 million and UAH 39.1 million — were conducted without competitive procedures. Contracts were concluded directly with the same LLC “TT 2006” on the basis of exceptional provisions allowing avoidance of open tenders. In such cases, there is no auction, bids are not compared, and no market price is formed.

In addition, Kharkiv Regional Military Administration departments concluded seven more contracts with LLC “TT 2006” totaling UAH 41.7 million, mainly for the restoration of outpatient clinics. At least UAH 4.3 million has already been financed. At the same time, the company effectively lacks its own material and technical base — it leases equipment from individual entrepreneur Vitaliy Starchenko and LLC “Kharkivbudservis-5”, which calls into question its ability to carry out such volumes of work. Nevertheless, this does not prevent LLC “TT 2006” from continuing to receive new multi-million contracts.

As a result of our activities, five reports of criminal offenses and eight complaints have been filed regarding the embezzlement of Kharkiv region funds. Based on our materials, pre-trial investigations are already underway in four criminal proceedings: NABU — No. 52025000000000577 under Part 4 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine; Investigative Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kharkiv region — No. 12023220000001206 and No. 12026220000000283 under Part 4 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine; Territorial Directorate of the State Bureau of Investigation in Poltava — No. 62026170020011675 under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

At the same time, Syniehubov’s influence over law enforcement agencies in Kharkiv region effectively blocks the investigations, allowing him to continue embezzling budget funds.