Kyiv Metro corruption scandal involves donated Warsaw wagons

Ukrainian authorities, including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, have uncovered a corruption scheme involving the transport of metro wagons donated by Warsaw Metro to Kyiv Metro.

In late 2022, Warsaw Metro offered 60 wagons to Kyiv Metro free of charge, with the Ukrainian side responsible for transport costs. In 2023, Kyiv Metro held tenders for transport and forwarding services. A company won the contract with an inflated bid of 190 million hryvnias (approximately 16 million PLN).

Investigators found that after receiving payment, the funds were transferred to an overseas controlled company. While the actual transport service was eventually performed by a foreign firm for 51.8 million hryvnias (4.3 million PLN), the participants allegedly embezzled 137.5 million hryvnias.

Charges have been brought against several individuals, including a former Kyiv Metro official, three employees of the winning company, two co-organizers, and a director of a foreign company. Reports indicate that former Kyiv Metro head Viktor Brahinski was involved in the scheme and has since resigned following investigations into his assets.