Metro Tunnel Scandal in Kyiv
Officials were aware of the hazardous condition of the metro tunnel in Kyiv between the "Demiivska" and "Lybidska" stations, yet they concealed this information from the public.
This was confirmed by Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, who released recorded conversations that substantiate the claims.
According to sources from the law enforcement agencies, the conversations involve former director of Kyiv Metro Viktor Braginsky, who is currently wanted, and chief engineer Viktor Vihivskyi.
The recording, taken on December 4, 2023, indicates that, according to the metro chief, in October-November 2023, alongside water, sand appeared between the "Lybidska" and "Demiivska" stations, resulting in cracks forming in the tunnel.
These recordings confirm that the officials responsible for monitoring the condition of the tunnels failed to take the necessary actions.
"I've worked here for nine years, and I understand how important and dangerous this is," said Braginsky in a conversation on December 6, 2023.
The recordings also reveal that the director of the Department of Transport Infrastructure of the Kyiv City State Administration, Ruslan Kandybor, was reluctant to close the emergency section of the metro, as Braginsky informed the chief engineer.
Furthermore, the conversations indicate that Braginsky sought to negotiate with a blogger to publicly state that the situation on the damaged section of the metro is "stable".
Reminder:
On December 8, 2023, transit was urgently halted on the section between the "Teremky" and "Demiivska" stations due to an emergency situation. According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, this occurred due to violations of construction technologies 15 years ago.
Kyiv law enforcement opened a criminal case regarding official negligence due to cracks in the ceiling of the metro between the "Teremky" and "Lybidska" stations.
On December 20, 2023, Ruslan Kandybor stated that there was no critical transport situation on the Obolon-Teremky metro line, and the destruction of the section between "Demiivska" and "Lybidska" had been averted.
Viktor Braginsky submitted his resignation on March 15, 2024, following an investigation by journalists.
The Podil District Prosecutor's Office issued suspicions of official negligence against two officials of the Kyiv Metro due to flooding on the blue line between "Demiivska" and "Lybidska" stations.
In June 2024, Braginsky was announced as wanted.
In July 2025, prosecutors of the Kyiv city prosecutor's office reported suspicion against the director of the Department of Transport Infrastructure of KCSA, Ruslan Kandybor, whose official negligence led to the tunnel's destruction in the capital's metro.
