On the morning of 23 September, law enforcement officers are carrying out investigative procedures at the office of the Ministry of Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine concerning the Director of the Department of Recovery Policy. According to the ministry, the investigation is looking into allegations that he may have received undue benefits in exchange for lifting sanctions against business entities whilst in his previous post. The ministry has stated that these circumstances are not related to the official’s current role within the ministry.
Briefly about the main points
- Law enforcement officers are working at the Ministry of Reconstruction’s office on the morning of 23 September.
- The investigation concerns the Director of the Department of Recovery Policy.
- According to the agency’s website, this post is held by Viktor Steblinenko.
- The Ministry links the case to his previous work in the Cabinet of Ministers.
- There are plans to suspend the official from his duties.
Viktor Steblinenko holds the post of Director of the Department
The Ministry of Recovery did not name the official in its statement. However, on the ministry’s official website, the director of the Department of Recovery Policy is listed as Viktor Steblynenko.
Steblinenko was appointed to this post in April 2026. In its own statement, the Ministry uses the term «investigative measures», although some media reports refer to them as searches.
The investigation is linked to work at the Cabinet Secretariat
Before joining the Ministry of Recovery, Steblynenko worked at the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers. In his declaration for 2025, he is listed as Head of the Sanctions Policy Department at the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers; he previously headed the relevant department.
The Ministry links the circumstances currently being investigated by the law enforcement agencies specifically to this period. Sanctions against specific individuals Decisions regarding officials and companies are taken by the National Security and Defence Council, and such decisions come into force by presidential decree. The mere fact that an investigation has been carried out does not imply that the official is found guilty.
The Ministry is preparing to suspend staff and carry out an internal investigation
The Ministry of Recovery has stated that it is providing law enforcement agencies with the necessary information and assisting with the investigation. At the same time, the ministry is conducting an internal audit of the processes that took place prior to the formation of the current team.
The decision to suspend the director of the department from his duties is due to be taken on 23 September. The ministry has promised to determine the next steps regarding staffing once the results of the investigation and internal audit are known, in accordance with the law.
