Position: Head of the state enterprise "Lviv Military Timber Combine".
Sphere of corrupt activity: defense and national security.
Region of corruption activity: Lviv region.
Qualification: actions are qualified under Part 4 of Article 191, Part 2 of Article 28 - Part 1 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Status: In custody with the possibility of posting bail.
The plot of the case: in early September 2025, the SSU, together with the police, exposed the head of the state enterprise "Lviv Military Timber Combine" Oleg Simaka for issuing fictitious reservations for conscripts. The co-organizer of the scheme turned out to be the company's security chief.
As reported by the SSU and the Special Prosecutor's Office for Defense of the Western Region, the organizers of the scheme for evaders were the head of a state-owned enterprise and the head of security, who fictitiously employed men of draft age so that they could receive "armor".
According to law enforcement, in 2024-2025, the leaders of the timber mill employed three tax evaders, including a relative of one of the organizers, using this scheme. The evaders were employed as legal advisors, senior personnel inspectors, and chief economists.
Despite the fact that newly appointed employees did not show up for work, they were systematically paid salaries. These funds were appropriated by the management, causing losses to the state-owned enterprise of over 365 thousand UAH.
The head of the timber processing plant and the head of security were suspected
Both defendants were informed of the suspicion. The head of the enterprise is suspected of embezzlement of property and official forgery (under Part 4 of Article 191, Part 2 of Article 28 - Part 1 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), the head of security – of embezzlement of property (Parts 4, 5 of Article 27 and Part 4 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). According to media reports, the scheme was exposed at the State Enterprise "Lviv Military Timber Combine", which is in a state of suspension. The head of the suspension commission, Oleh Simaka, was suspected.
The officials were removed from their positions. The court chose preventive measures for them: one was placed under house arrest, the other was placed under detention with the right to post bail in the amount of UAH 240,000. Investigative actions are ongoing to identify all those involved in the transaction.
Persons potentially involved in corruption schemes: head of the enterprise's security service.
Assets: in his 2024 declaration, Simaka indicated that he owns two land plots and a residential building in the Chernivtsi region.
Simaka also declared a Hyundai Santa Fe car worth UAH 892,000.
The official's income for the same year was UAH 224,770. However, he did not indicate any monetary assets.
Persons who should have reacted: law enforcement agencies responded in a timely manner to the criminal activities of Simaka and his accomplice, handing both suspects charges.
Scandals: Before the corruption scheme, he was not seen as a figure in other scandals.
Sources:
https://public.nazk.gov.ua/documents/0cd2ac12-ee0b-4eb7-a42a-64c04c275dfc