The ESBU dismantled 9 gas stations in the Odesa region for selling counterfeit fuel illegally

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Odesa region have shut down 9 illegal gas stations selling counterfeit fuel without the required permits.

It was established that the station owners, operating without licenses or business registration, purchased fuel of unknown origin at significantly lower prices. The suspects subsequently sold the gasoline in Odesa and the surrounding region. To facilitate this, they installed refueling equipment, storage tanks, and fuel dispensers on abandoned sites.

Illegal gas stations operated in the village of Kamianka (Izmail district), the settlements of Velykodolynske, Mizhlymanske, and Velykyi Dalnyk (Odesa district), the village of Buialyk (Berezivka district), and in Odesa on Nebesna Sotnia Avenue and Chornomorskoho Kozatstva Street.

Detectives conducted authorized searches at all locations, seizing 3 tons of liquefied gas, 6.2 tons of A-92 and A-95 gasoline, and 5.9 tons of diesel fuel, as well as fuel dispensers, tanks, equipment, and structures used for the operation of the illegal gas stations. The total value of the seized assets is nearly UAH 9.6 million.

All 9 illegal gas stations have been completely dismantled.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing under Part 2 of Art. 15 (attempted criminal offense), Part 2 of Art. 201-4 (smuggling of excise goods), and Art. 204 (illegal manufacture, storage, sale, or transportation for the purpose of sale of excise goods) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The full circle of individuals involved in illegal activities, as well as the supply and distribution channels of excise goods, is being identified.

Operational support is provided by the Strategic Economic Protection Detectives Department. Procedural oversight is conducted by the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office.

Systemic efforts to counter the illegal circulation of fuel continue. The ESBU's priority task for 2026 is to complete the cleanup of the market and create a level playing field for legitimate businesses.