Prosecutors uncover budget embezzlement scheme at Kyiv culture university, searches conducted

As part of the investigation on March 27, investigators from the National Police’s main directorate, with operational support from the SBU, carried out more than 20 searches at the residences of those involved, as well as at the premises of the Kyiv University of Culture.

Searches were also conducted at the home of the university’s former rector, Mykhailo Poplavskyi, Babel sources confirmed. At the same time, RBC-Ukraine, citing sources, reported that Poplavskyi has not been formally notified of suspicion and that only searches have been carried out.

According to the investigation, officials of the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts colluded with officials from the Education Ministry and organized a scheme to illegally misappropriate budget funds allocated under a higher education training program.

The program, “Training of Personnel by Higher Education Institutions and Ensuring the Operation of Their Training Facilities,” provided the university with about 760 million hryvnias from the state budget in 2022–2023. However, part of these funds was allegedly withdrawn in cash and distributed among participants in the scheme.

Police said that in 2022–2024, the university’s management submitted artificially inflated figures to shape the budget. Increasing the number of students and teaching workload allowed for higher state spending on staff salaries and institutional maintenance. In reality, some of these “students” and teaching hours existed only on paper.

“The investigation established that the basis for determining the amount of state funding was data on the number of higher education students, research trainees, as well as the institution’s staffing schedule,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said.

Prosecutors said false information may have been entered into official documents regarding the number of students and academic staff, providing grounds for unjustified increases in funding.

Law enforcement is now verifying information about the possible inclusion in reporting of individuals who actually belonged to a private educational institution and were not eligible to participate in the budget program.

During investigative actions, officers seized mobile phones, hard drives and company seals that may contain evidence of illegal activity.

Police added that audit materials and financial documentation were also seized and could serve as key evidence in the case.

The criminal proceedings are being investigated under Part 3 of Article 191 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code — misappropriation or embezzlement of property on a large scale. The charge carries a penalty of up to eight years in prison and a ban on holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for up to three years.

The investigation is ongoing. No notices of suspicion have been issued so far.