The investigation revealed that officials from the Poltava City Council's housing and utilities department colluded with a local deputy to systematically extort kickbacks from contractors.
Investigators found that road maintenance contractors were forced to pay 10% kickbacks on their contract values, with the total amount of bribes exceeding UAH7.7 million (more than $172,000).
A Poltava City Council member, a city official, and two officials from the contracting company have been served notices of suspicion.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced on Oct. 24, 2025, that it had busted a UAH15 billion (roughly $335 million) currency laundering ring involving two former top tax officials from Poltava Oblast.
SBU stated that the former officials protected the operation and rigged decisions to favor preferred companies, while NABU noted the scheme allowed businesses to evade UAH147 million (more than $3 million) in taxes.