Position: General Director of the Nizhny Dniester Hydroelectric Power Plant.
Sphere of corrupt activity: public procurement.
Region of corruption activity: Vinnytsia region.
Qualification: the actions are qualified under Part 3 of Article 27, Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Embezzlement of property through abuse of official position, committed by an organized group, repeatedly, on a large scale, under martial law).
Status: at large.
The plot of the case: in May 2025, the State Bureau of Investigation, together with employees of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), announced suspicions against the general director of the Nizhnyodniestrovska HPP for embezzlement of almost 5 million UAH. The head also involved his subordinates in the illegal scheme of embezzlement of money from state procurement. According to the website of PrJSC "Nizhnyodniestrovska HPP", the general director is Serhiy Lunin.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers established that the station's general director had involved the head of the public procurement department and an engineer in an illegal scheme. The station had entered into contracts with two private companies to carry out repair work at inflated prices. The tender documentation was drawn up in such a way as to ensure the victory of the pre-determined contractors.
Despite the violations identified by the State Audit Service and the holding of the head of the department to administrative responsibility, the contract agreements were not reviewed. Under 4 concluded agreements with a total value of almost 16 million UAH, the merchants were to carry out work on strengthening the hydroelectric power plant structures, installing sewage systems and strengthening individual sections of the infrastructure
According to the experts' conclusion, the real cost of such works should have been UAH 4.8 million less. Possible violations of safety standards during the repair work are also being checked. No threats to the stable operation of the station have been recorded.
On May 7, SBI officers conducted searches at the officials' workplaces and residences. Law enforcement officers seized documentation, digital media, phones, and about UAH 25 million in cash in various currencies.
The Director General and his two accomplices were informed of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 27, Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Embezzlement of property through abuse of official position, committed by an organized group, repeatedly, on a large scale, under martial law). They face up to 12 years in prison. The State Bureau of Investigation is also checking the possible involvement of other officials in the crime.
Persons potentially involved in the corruption schemes: in addition to Lunin, the head of the public procurement department and an engineer of the Nizhny Dniester Hydroelectric Power Plant are also involved in the scheme.
Assets: There are no current declarations of Sergiy Lunin's income in open sources. However, in his 2018 declaration, the official indicated that he owns a residential building in Chernivtsi region, two land plots, and a garage. In contrast, his wife Larisa owns two apartments, two non-residential premises, and a beauty salon.
In addition, Lunin owns a pontoon and a trailer for transporting a boat, and his wife owns a Volkswagen Tandug.
Lunin's income was UAH 796,561, while his wife's was UAH 270,000.
Persons who should have reacted: law enforcement agencies responded in a timely manner to the criminal activities of Lunin and his subordinates.
Scandals: Before the corruption scheme, Lunin was not seen as a figure in other scandals.
Sources:
https://epravda.com.ua/finances/u-chomu-pidozryuyut-gendirektora-nizhnodnistrovskoji-ges-806491/
https://public.nazk.gov.ua/documents/7554211e-33db-4f46-9c96-b6068cc67450