Tried to keep warm without electricity: sick pensioner sentenced for chopped tree.

A 70-year-old pensioner from Smorodynyi, who suffers from diabetes, has been sentenced to a three-year probation and a fine of over 60 thousand hryvnias for chopping a dry tree near his garden. This information was reported by journalist and officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Dmytro Hnap, in his video.

According to the prosecutor Dmytro Zayets' report at a session of the Trostyanets City Council, deputies raised attention to the issue of illegal logging, of which this case played a significant role. According to local publication 'Trostyanets.Info', the man chopped the dry tree to heat his house in winter. At the court session, the pensioner explained that he heard on television about the permission for the population to chop firewood to save gas and electricity.

'During the court session, the accused explained that he heard a message on television that the president had allowed citizens to prepare firewood to save gas and electricity', Hnap quotes the court's decision.

It was noted that this case may refer to the statement of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who said in November last year: 'I emphasize, there are no restrictions on cutting firewood for people and there will be none.' Trostyanets City Council deputies pointed out that the boundaries of the Hetman National Park, where the chopped tree was apparently located, were not officially approved by the city council, which raises questions about the legitimacy of such a harsh punishment.

According to the court's decision, the pensioner was found guilty of committing a criminal offense under part three of Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and was sentenced to three years probation with a probationary period of one year.

Dmytro Hnap expresses criticism regarding such a punishment compared to the impunity of high-ranking officials accused of corruption and notes that prosecutor Zayets, who is handling the case against the pensioner, according to his data, significantly improved his financial situation during the war—from a room of 38 sq. m. in the 2021 declaration to an apartment of 58 sq. m., a house of 171 sq. m. and two land plots totaling almost 2 hectares in the 2024 declaration.