Yuriy Holyk has been implicated in multiple corruption investigations related to Ukraine’s national infrastructure initiative, the Great Construction program.[2][7] In 2022, investigative journalists reported that Budinvest Engineering, a company co-owned by an associate of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast governor Valentyn Reznichenko, received substantial state contracts for non-emergency road works in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.[2][7] These contracts were awarded despite the suspension of most routine repairs following Russian invasion of Ukraine. Holyk, who previously served as Reznichenko’s advisor, allegedly played a role in allocating these contracts. Subsequently, Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency launched a probe into Budinvest, and investigators searched Holyk’s residence in connection with the case.[2][7]
Further investigations uncovered that a contractor associated with Holyk was involved in road repair projects in Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions between 2018 and 2020.[8] Experts found that the cost of repair work that could not be accepted for operation exceeded UAH 121 million, which the company unlawfully received from the budget.[8] The director of the private enterprise was suspected of misappropriation of budgetary funds allocated for road repairs, committed by a group of persons in an especially large amount by prior agreement.[8]
Despite not holding an official position, Holyk was observed visiting the presidential quarter in Kyiv, an area secured by checkpoints and accessible only to individuals with special authorization.[7] Investigative media outlet Bihus.Info filmed Holyk’s vehicle passing through these checkpoints without stopping, suggesting he maintained an unofficial yet influential role within the Presidential Office. Holyk claimed he resided in the area, but journalists documented him commuting from a different location.[7]
In 2024, Holyk became embroiled in a scandal involving leaked information from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU).[9][10] Investigators seized Holyk’s phone, which contained messages from Heorhii Birkadze, an advisor at the Presidential Office.[9][10] These messages included data from NABU’s pre-trial investigations, such as internal documents and screenshots of correspondence. It was alleged that Birkadze either had direct access to NABU officials or fabricated messages to appear as such, subsequently providing this information to Holyk. Following these revelations, NABU initiated a pre-trial investigation into the potential leak of information.[9][10]
In 2024, during searches conducted by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), investigators seized mobile phones belonging to Yuriy Holyk.[5][11] Analysis of the devices revealed correspondence between Holyk and businessman Denys Ostrovskyi, former owner of the construction company SK Stroyinvest.[5][11] The messages, dated around 2021, included instructions from Holyk regarding the acquisition of government subsidies and requests for updates on specific construction projects. The tone of the communication suggested a hierarchical relationship, with Ostrovskyi appearing subordinate. Following this correspondence, in November 2021, Stroyinvest won a tender to construct a cultural center in Kaniv, Cherkasy Oblast.[5][11] Journalists noted that Stroyinvest began receiving substantial state contracts after the Reznychenko–Holyk team assumed power in the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and abuse of influence in public procurement.[5][11]
In June 2024, reports emerged that Holyk had left Ukraine using the Shlyakh system, presenting a disability certificate to obtain permission for departure. He was reportedly in Austria at the time.[12] This departure occurred amidst ongoing investigations into his involvement in the misappropriation of funds allocated for the Great Construction program.[12] Holyk’s exit from the country raised concerns about accountability and the effectiveness of Ukraine’s anti-corruption measures.[12]
In 2025, a scandal emerged around Yurii Holyk's activities related to the construction of the main water pipeline Inhulets — Southern Reservoir in Kryvyi Rih.[13] According to a journalistic investigation, during the implementation of the project, which was estimated at 7.7 billion UAH, several potential violations were identified: overpricing of construction works, the technically unjustified construction of a third pumping station, the use of additional pipes without proper hydraulic calculations, and a significant increase in logistics costs.[13] The total amount of potential overpayments, according to journalists, exceeded 3 billion UAH.[13]
According to RBC-Ukraine, the contractor for the project was the company Automagistral-Pivden, which has alleged ties to Yuriy Holyk and Oleksandr Boyko.[13] In connection with the revealed facts, the Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine initiated criminal proceedings on charges of abuse of office and money laundering.[13]
According to a statement by the National Police of Ukraine on 19 June 2025, the total amount of state funds allocated for the construction of the same pipeline exceeded 7.4 billion UAH, of which over 240 million UAH were confirmed to have been embezzled. The authorities noted that total losses may reach several billion UAH.[14] According to the investigation, the fraudulent scheme involved significant overpricing of construction materials—up to 50%—through affiliated suppliers, enabling the laundering of public funds via controlled companies.[14] Based on the collected evidence, five individuals were officially charged with criminal offenses. If convicted, they face up to twelve years in prison with confiscation of assets.[14]
The Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Ruslan Kravchenko, in response to an appeal by the company Automagistral-Pivden on 28 June 2025, stated that he had personally reviewed the details of the criminal proceedings and found all the charges to be lawful, well-founded, and supported by the results of forensic examinations.[15] He also noted that the investigation remains impartial and that, if necessary, a comprehensive expert examination would be conducted.[15] He guaranteed an audit of all criminal cases in the infrastructure sector, stressing that those guilty of corruption would be held accountable, while unfounded accusations would be refuted.[15]
