Stepanov Maksym Volodymyrovych

Suspicion of misappropriating over UAH 450 million of SE "Polihrafkombinat "Ukraina" through procurement of materials for passports and ID cards

According to NABU and SAPO, in 2013 the then director of SE "Polygraph Combine 'Ukraina'" acquired, through nominees, an Estonian company through which foreign manufacturers were to supply materials for document blanks (passports, ID cards, driving licences); the company resold them to the state enterprise at a 4–6-fold mark-up. Over 2013–2016 the participants in the scheme, according to investigators, misappropriated funds worth over UAH 450 million; part of the funds, according to investigators, was laundered through the sale of shares for USD 1.35 million. On 21 July 2023 notices of suspicion were served on five persons (Article 191(5), for the former director also Article 209(3) of the Criminal Code). NABU does not name him; according to ZN.UA and Transparency International Ukraine ("VAKS vyrishyv"), the former director is former Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov. On 13 September 2023 the HACC, in absentia, ordered a pre-trial restraint measure against him (detention in custody). On 23 May 2025, according to Transparency International Ukraine, he was served an additional notice of suspicion of receiving an undue advantage in the form of copyright to the design of document security features and laundering about EUR 7 million in royalties (2018–2021; Article 368(4), Article 209(3) of the Criminal Code) — this amount has not been added to the episode amount. An accomplice (the owner of the Estonian company) concluded a plea agreement; HACC verdict of 2 December 2024. As regards Stepanov, as of 3 October 2026 the case is at the pre-trial investigation stage; guilt has not been established by a court.

Pre-trial investigation body:

National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine

Proceedings:

52019000000000925

Charges:

ч. 5 ст. 191 КК України, ч. 3 ст. 209 КК України, ч. 4 ст. 368 КК України