Illegal logging in Zhytomyr region: company from the circle of the head of the Main Police Department does not have permits for logging – regional council

Monitoring of the situation in the forests of the Zhytomyr region continues, as the companies “Gruzlyvets Agro” and “Agro Gruzlyvets,” owned by businessman Oleh Babii, are suspected of illegal logging. Local sources suggest a possible connection between Babii and Ilya Gulevaty, the deputy head of the Zhytomyr region’s Main Police Department; according to unconfirmed reports, they may be close relatives. Meanwhile, representatives of the Zhytomyr Regional Council reported that no permits for “deforestation” of the territory were issued to the mentioned companies.

According to information received by the editorial office, in the Zhytomyr region, in particular, in the Pulynskyi, Khoroshivskyi, and Zhytomyrskyi districts, a scheme has probably been implemented involving illegal logging of wood (mainly firewood) and its subsequent sale to individuals and legal entities, including state institutions, using “legalization” of documents. Residents claim that this activity was organized by Oleg Babiy, director and founder of Gruzlyvets Agro and Agro Gruzlyvets, who rents numerous land plots and carries out unauthorized logging there.

In response to the editorial office’s request, the Zhytomyr Regional Council confirmed that Oleg Babiy did not apply for permits for the “deforestation” of lands. They also noted that the issue of issuing such licenses falls outside their competence.

Additionally, council representatives noted that according to the Law of Ukraine, “On Access to Public Information,” they are not obliged to create new documents or conduct an analysis of a situation that lacks official confirmation.

Thus, the council refused to provide the requested information, referring to current legislation.

Despite the situation, the business associated with illegal logging in the Zhytomyr region continues to cause severe economic losses to the country. Activists have reported cases of threats from a local businessman who organized the export of unaccounted timber. There is a suspicion that the businessman behind these “black logs” is possibly connected to the deputy head of the Zhytomyr region’s Main Police Department.