Illegal logging in the Transcarpathian reserve: damage to the landscape park amounted to almost 6 million hryvnias

On the territory of the regional landscape park in Transcarpathia, massive illegal logging was discovered, which lasted for several months.

Law enforcement agencies of Transcarpathia reported the discovery of facts of illegal logging on the territory of the nature reserve fund. At the request of the Mukachevo District Prosecutor’s Office, two residents were suspected of committing a serious environmental crime.

According to the investigation, in June and July 2025, these men, having agreed among themselves, began cutting trees in the regional landscape park “Synyak” without the necessary permits. Illegal actions took place in several blocks of the reserve zone.

The perpetrators cut down more than 70 trees, mostly beeches of various diameters, and sold the felled wood to residents for cash. The examination established that the environmental damage caused amounted to about 6 million hryvnias.

Both suspects are currently hiding from law enforcement officers. They are accused of illegal logging on the territory of a nature reserve fund, committed by a group of persons, with grave consequences (Part 4 of Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The issue of their being put on the wanted list and further detention is being resolved.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by investigators of Special Investigation Unit No. 1 of the Mukachevo District Police Department in Transcarpathia, and operational support is provided by employees of the region’s Strategic Investigations Department.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime until his guilt is proven in accordance with the law and confirmed by a court verdict.