TNK-Industries Ukraine LLC has filed a counterclaim to the business court of appeals of Kyiv demanding the return of fuel it claims is illegally held by state enterprise Ukrtransnaftoprodukt, Galnaftogaz concern, Ukroilproduct LLC and Kyivtransoil Plus LLC.

According to the state ruling register, the court accepted the counterclaim and scheduled a hearing for December 16.

As reported, in July 2014, the Pechersky district court of Kyiv seized fuel contained in seven tankers, and around 10,000 tonnes of fuel in tankers held at an oil depot leased by Vostok LLC (part of Rosneft Group in Ukraine) in Kyiv region.

The investigators claimed that fuel was bought by Vostok from VETEK, and was illegally imported into Ukraine during 2013 to 2014 without paying customs duties.

Vostok stated that the company has challenged the Interior Ministry’s actions six times, and that the courts had ignored their claim and documents they provided that they say confirmed the disputed fuel was not related to any deals made with the VETEK group. Vostok also states that the fuel was bought from other companies, and that the relevant taxes were paid.

The Prymorsky district court of Odesa on September 30, 2014 ruled to sell the fuel seized from Vostok's depot through Ukrtransnaftoprodukt. One of the buyers was Galnaftogaz concern.