Suspicion in Hrynkevych's case and open proceedings on surveillance of journalists: highlights for January 17

Suspicion in the Hrynkevych case

Law enforcement officers have served notice of suspicion to members of a criminal organization led by Lviv businessman Ihor Hrynkevych, who caused almost a billion hryvnias in damage to the state.

They are charged with Part 5 of Article 190, Part 1, 2 of Article 255 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Law enforcement officers are currently resolving the issue of detention of the organization's members. They face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine decided to terminate the last contract for the supply of food to the army with one of the companies of Lviv businessman Ihor Hrynkevych, Trade Lines Retail.

Investigation into surveillance of journalists

The Security Service of Ukraine is investigating the circumstances of illegal wiretapping and video recording of Bihus.Info journalists. Criminal proceedings have been opened over this fact.

The case will be investigated under Article 359 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — illegal acquisition, sale, or use of special technical means of obtaining information.

The police also said that more than one case could be opened in the case of surveillance of journalists. Investigators are in touch with Bihus.Info's lawyers and are waiting for a statement from the media outlet. Then criminal proceedings will be opened.

Limitation of the area of destroyed housing for which compensation can be received

The Cabinet of Ministers has changed the procedure for compensating Ukrainians whose housing was damaged or destroyed as a result of hostilities as part of the eRestoration project.

From now on, compensation for a destroyed or damaged apartment can only be received if its area does not exceed 150 square meters. For manor houses, garden, or country houses, such restrictions have been set at 200 square meters.

New assistance from Germany

The German government has updated the list of military aid provided to Ukraine to repel Russian aggression. Among other things, it includes armored personnel carriers and reconnaissance UAVs.

In addition, in the future, Germany is going to provide Ukraine with 30 more Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 15 Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, and more than 100 RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance drones.

Other important news of the day

• The top management of a concern that has been supplying the Russian military-industrial complex until now was detained in the Zhytomyr region.
• The Ukrainian Armed Forces used one of the FrankenSAM air defense systems for the first time. They managed to shoot down a Shahed at a distance of 9 km.
• Explosions occurred in occupied Crimea, smoke screen ignited, media report.
• The Bundestag rejected the provision of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.
• The NATO-Ukraine Council held the first meeting of the Chiefs of Defense.