Ukraine's SBU Security Service with the National Police of Ukraine have uncovered theft at PJSC Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian State Railways) in Kharkiv region with the assistance of Ukrzaliznytsia managers.

The SBU's press center said officials of one of the structural divisions of the regional affiliate Pivdenna Railways systematically stole state funds for repairing cargo wagons, as well as junctions and movable railway engines.

Losses at Ukrzaliznytsia during several years of the scheme amounted to UAH 30 million.

"On November 10, 2016, law-enforcement agents conducted 10 searches where the alleged thieves lived and worked in Kupiansk and Kupiansk district of Kharkiv region. During the searches documents, which proved the existence of fictitious deals for goods, electronic storage devices with information involving the criminal activity of fictitious legal entitities, as well as UAH 1 million worth of cash and valuables were seized," said the press release.

The communications office of the main directorate of the National Police in Kharkiv region said police ascertained that officials at the production subdivision of the regional affiliate stole property during repair operations.

"It has now been established that the amount of damages incurred by the state exceeds UAH 2 million. However, based on information of our operatives, the amount may run into the tens of millions of hryvnia. The final amount will be determined during the course of the investigation," the office of the National Police of Kharkiv region said.