These cases are the result of DOZORRO’s systematic work in previous months, when we analyzed procurements and approached contracting authorities with comments on inflated prices. In February, we were able to record tangible outcomes: in some procurements, the parties revised the contractual prices; in others, overpayments were prevented before contracts were signed. In one case, the information from our submission was added to an already opened criminal proceeding. Here are the three most notable cases.

Construction of a shelter in Vysokopillia

In the settlement of Vysokopillia in the Kherson region, a shelter for the hub school has been under construction for more than a year so that students can study offline rather than remotely during air-raid alerts. The main procurement took place back in 2024, when Autointerstroi LLC won the contract. However, in autumn 2025, additional works became necessary, so a direct contract for UAH 21.7 million was signed for those works.

When analyzing the cost estimate for this procurement, we found likely overpricing of construction materials. In total, potential overpayments could have reached UAH 2.7 million—more than 11% of the contract value. For rebar steel used to reinforce reinforced-concrete structures (round and ribbed, grade A-III, 12 mm diameter) alone, the potential overpayment was UAH 900,000. Autointerstroi LLC planned to supply it at UAH 44,944.55 per ton (here and below, prices are VAT-inclusive), while market offers were significantly lower. For example, UTMK sells this material for UAH 32,800 per ton, and SavVats for UAH 34,290 per ton.

In November last year, DOZORRO contacted the Vysokopillia hub educational institution with calculations and a request to revise material prices. In December, the contracting authority replied that the prices would be reviewed.

The contract price is fixed, meaning it cannot be adjusted during the implementation. In addition, part of the works under the contract has already been paid for. Therefore, in February 2026, DOZORRO sent a letter to the prosecutor’s office regarding a possible overpayment. Law enforcement reported that our information had been attached to an already opened criminal proceeding and that the stated facts were being verified.

The State Audit Service monitored this procurement and identified violations. In particular, auditors noted that the contracting authority concluded a direct contract but failed to publish a proper justification for that decision on Prozorro. In addition, the contract initially lacked some mandatory clauses required for projects funded under the EU’s Ukraine Facility program.

DOZORRO also analyzed the main tender for construction of the same shelter in Vysokopillia. At the time, based on our submission regarding a potential UAH 4 million overpayment, a criminal proceeding was opened.

According to YouControl, Autointerstroi LLC was registered in Donetsk region in 2005. The owner is Oleksandr Shakhmatov, and the director is Kostiantyn Selezniov. The company has previously appeared in media coverage about shelter construction in the Kherson region. For example, Bihus.Info wrote about shelter construction contracts at schools in the region, where the company received contracts totaling over UAH 140 million.

Reconstruction of an outpatient clinic in Vysokopillia

This is the second case in Vysokopillia, Kherson region, recorded in February, where DOZORRO’s earlier intervention helped prevent inefficient spending. This time, it concerns the reconstruction of the property complex of the administrative building of the Vysokopillia settlement council into a general practice/family medicine outpatient clinic.

The procurement was announced by the Department for Territorial Development of the Kherson Regional State Administration to refurbish the building at 112 Vyzvolyteliv Street into a medical facility for community residents. Only one bidder submitted an offer—Global Build Engineering LLC—and a contract worth UAH 122.2 million was signed with the company.

DOZORRO analysts reviewed the winner’s cost estimate and saw risks. Overall, potential overpricing of construction materials could have reached UAH 5.8 million—around 4.3% of the future contract value. For metal-plastic windows (double-glazed units) alone, the department could have overpaid UAH 1.8 million. Global Build Engineering LLC planned to supply them at UAH 10,330.68 per sq. m, while market offers at the time were far lower: Masterdom sold such windows for UAH 3,437.50 per sq. m, and Oknodom for UAH 3,950 per sq. m. 

In October last year, we asked the contracting authority to revise construction material prices at the stage of approving the contract price. That same month, the department replied that it had reviewed the estimate and provided the contractor with comments on material costs.

As a result, when concluding the contract, the Department for Territorial Development of the Kherson Regional State Administration and Global Build Engineering LLC adjusted the prices of most materials to market level, saving UAH 5.8 million. 

Global Build Engineering LLC was founded by Yaroslav Shevchenko in Kyiv in 2017. The company has also appeared in investigative reporting. For example, Intent reported that the High Anti-Corruption Court obliged NABU to investigate the possible misappropriation of budget funds during construction of a shelter at the Vysokopillia school, where the contractor was Global Build Engineering LLC.

Repair of a sewer collector in Chernihiv

Another case where the cost of work was reduced after DOZORRO’s submission concerns Chernihiv. There, Chernihivvodokanal Municipal Enterprise carried out a major repair of a sewer collector on Dmytra Samokvasova Street—from Building No. 10 to Tekstylnykiv Street.

A contract worth UAH 40.5 million was signed with AutoV-M LLC. The company was the sole participant in the tender. Under the contract, the contractor was to carry out a major repair of a critically deteriorated section of a 700 mm sewer collector, including dismantling and laying the pipeline, installing inspection manholes, and other works on the network.

DOZORRO analysts found a risk of inflated material prices. In total, the potential overpayment could have been UAH 2.9 million—around 7% of the contract value. This was because AutoV-M LLC planned to supply polyethylene pipes for cold water supply (PE 100 SDR-17 (1.0 MPa), outer diameter 900×53.3 mm) at UAH 26,379.90 per meter. Market offers at the time of analysis were much lower: Trubpolimergroup sold this material for UAH 14,655.50 per meter, Megapipe for UAH 17,587.00 per meter, and Euro Trub Polymer for UAH 21,982 per meter.

In May 2025, the DOZORRO team contacted Chernihivvodokanal Municipal Enterprise asking it to revise material prices. In its response, the contracting authority said that resource costs would be double-checked and, if necessary, the contract price would be adjusted. In January this year, the parties signed an addendum reducing the contract amount by an even larger sum than the potential overpayment we calculated. 

This procurement was also reviewed by the State Audit Service. During monitoring, auditors identified violations in the review of the winning bidder’s tender offer and in the publication of procurement information on Prozorro. In particular, Chernihivvodokanal did not reject AutoV-M LLC’s offer, even though the bidder submitted documents that did not meet the tender documentation requirements. The contracting authority decided to challenge the monitoring conclusion in the Chernihiv District Administrative Court.

Auto-M LLC was founded in Zaporizhzhia in 2001. The company has been mentioned in media reports before. For example, Vilne Radio reported that the company had appeared in several criminal cases concerning possible overpricing of materials during water pipeline repairs in Dnipro.

This material was prepared within the framework of the “Digitalization for Growth, Integrity, and Transparency” (UK DIGIT) project, implemented by the Eurasia Foundation and funded by UK Dev.

The material was produced with the financial support of the UK Government’s International Development Assistance Programme. The contents of this material are the sole responsibility of Transparency International Ukraine; the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Government of the United Kingdom.