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At the end of 2023, SFE “Forests of Ukraine” launched a pilot Personnel Reserve system. The project’s primary goal is to select motivated employees and support their career advancement.
Participants in the personnel reserve receive an individual development plan, mentoring support from experienced coaches, access to the enterprise’s learning platforms, and participation in a modular program covering specialised topics.
In 2024, nearly 400 employees successfully completed the training programme—throughout the year they acquired both professional competencies and attended the online Leadership School.
Twenty percent of personnel‑reserve participants were promoted into vacant leadership positions.
Since early 2025, SFE “Forests of Ukraine” has operated under a new organizational structure, entailing an updated staffing schedule and revised position requirements.
Accordingly, the selection and assessment programme for the Personnel Reserve has been refreshed.
Following recent testing of candidates for the renewed reserve, over 350 employees have been selected. They are now being offered five positions: Forester, Chief Forester, Chief Engineer, Director of Production Division, and Head of Forestry Management Unit.
The selection of reserve candidates was based on a comprehensive assessment combining a questionnaire, professional testing on regulatory frameworks and forestry processes, a motivational interview, and an evaluation of managerial competencies.
The first member of the new reserve has already been promoted—Roman Lekaya has been appointed Head of Baltske Forestry Management Unit.
All other members of the Personnel Reserve are invited to undertake further training to support their career growth.
To date, reserve participants have access to over 20 training programmes, including:
Management and Leadership
Time Management
Communication and Collaboration
Occupational Health and Safety
Software Proficiency
Role‑Specific Professional Competencies
The Procurement Department of SFE “Forests of Ukraine” concluded 142 contracts totaling UAH 1.5 billion.
They procured fuel, electricity, specialized machinery and vehicles, equipment, and tools for seed centers, timber harvesting, and much more.
Savings amounted to 14.1 percent, or UAH 237 million!
There are still 24 tenders in progress with a total expected value of UAH 738 million.
During this period, not a single lot was tendered in breach of legislation.
Only 4.2 percent of lots were contested by participants (and in the third quarter, this figure decreased to 1.1 percent).
Ninety‑nine percent of procurements were competitive.
Several significant changes were implemented in the Department’s operations during the first half of the year.
-Category management has been launched, meaning professional market engagement that includes consultations with manufacturers and importers and attracts a broader range of direct suppliers to the tenders.
–A Contract Division has been established: the process of approving and concluding contracts and addenda with counterparties is now more standardized, controlled, and incorporates an additional compliance‑check step.
-The procurement planning process has been automated by migrating to the Smart‑Tender.biz platform, where all actions (approvals, workflow, etc.) are conducted electronically.
-The analytical data structure on the Prozorro platform has been reorganized to enable statistics generation across all enterprise branches.
-A branch‑level procurement activity monitoring and performance evaluation system has been launched, complete with a rating mechanism.
-A new version of the Department’s regulation has been introduced, featuring an updated operational and role‑based management model.
From 2027, Carpathian forestry enterprises will be required to completely abandon clear‑cutting. The SFE “Forests of Ukraine” is already actively preparing for this.
We are implementing close‑to‑nature silviculture, meaning we will replace clear‑cutting with transformation cuts. The forest canopy will be maintained continuously—only a portion of the trees will be removed, rather than the entire stand.
Experiments with transformation cuts have been conducted by Ukrainian researchers since the 2000s, and the results on the experimental plots are impressive. At the Morshynskyi Research and Production Station, where scientists have been working since 2008, improved light conditions have increased the average annual wood increment per hectare from 5 m³ to 12 m³.
The transition to selective harvesting technologies primarily requires the retraining of personnel.
The training programme launched by the SFE “Forests of Ukraine” for the foresters of the Branch “Karpatskyi Forest Office” has been organised in cooperation with the National Forestry University of Ukraine in Lviv.
Lectures and practical instruction are delivered by the distinguished Ukrainian scholar Professor Hryhorii Tomkovych Krynytskyi and his colleagues.
The first three groups of foresters from the Branch “Karpatskyi Forest Office” have already completed the courses and passed their exams. In total, over 200 foresters are slated for this upskilling.
The programme includes familiarization with the outcomes of converting even‑aged stands into mixed, uneven‑aged stands, as well as hands‑on training in selecting trees for transformation cuts.
By the end of the course, foresters will be able to: plan and designate transformation cuts in a stand, conduct a detailed plot description, select individual trees for felling.They will learn to convert even‑aged (both pure and mixed) stands into uneven‑aged, predominantly mixed stands.
Over the past two months, the entire Carpathian region has experienced abnormally dry weather. Rainfall has been infrequent and highly localized. During the past week, a heat wave from Europe has moved into the western regions. In Zakarpattia, temperatures reached up to 35°C on some days; in the mountains, they ranged from 25 to 27 °C.
An extreme level of fire danger now prevails across all regions under the Branch “Karpatskyi Forest Office” (Lviv, Zakarpattia, Ivano‑Frankivsk).
Despite these conditions, no significant wildfires have been recorded. Over the past week, there was only one incident in the Berehivske Forestry Management Unit, affecting 1.6 ha. A fire broke out in the forest litter of young stands due to local residents’ careless handling of fire. Foresters promptly extinguished the blaze using on‑site resources.
Avoidance of major wildfires has been achieved thanks to the timely preparatory work of the foresters of the Branch “Karpatskyi Forest Office.”
In the Forestry Management Units with the highest ignition risk, the activity of patrol brigades has been reinforced. A total of 81 brigades, comprising over 200 State Forest Protection personnel, are now in operation.
Training sessions have been conducted for State Forest Protection staff under the “Forest Firefighting Leader” programme (105 participants) and the “Forest Firefighter” programme (155 participants).
Over 600 informational briefings have been conducted with local residents.
A total of 433 km of new firebreaks have been constructed, and maintenance has been carried out on 47,700 km of existing strips.
All necessary equipment has been prepared. There are 32 pickups for patrolling the forest tracts, 28 of which are equipped with firefighting modules (10 of these were procured this year); 1,642 backpack sprayers; 90 tractors with mounted equipment; 180 motor pumps; and 16 fire trucks.
A total of 195 firefighting water reservoirs have been constructed, 110 of which are fitted with piers for water intake.
We remind you that for violations of fire‐use regulations, a fine of UAH 1,530 to 4,590 is imposed; for officials, this can rise to UAH 15,300. For unauthorized burning of vegetation, the fine is UAH 6,120 (and UAH 21,420 for officials). Within protected reserves, all fines are doubled.
For safe forest recreation, a network of fully equipped recreation points has been established. Entry is free. A map showing the locations of the “Lisovychky” recreation points is available on the SFE “Forests of Ukraine” website.
Restoring the forests damaged by military operations and occupation in the eastern part of Ukraine remains the enterprise’s top priority.
After the incorporation of Izyumske Forestry Management Unit into SFE “Forests of Ukraine” in March of this year, some 42.6 ha of new forest have already been planted there. The company also ensured that the forestry units were promptly equipped with pickups fitted with fire-fighting modules, office equipment, and all other necessary gear to resume full operations.”
In autumn, the foresters will continue working on the restoration of these areas by preparing planting material. Currently, three forest nurseries are operating within Izyumske Forestry Management Unit, facilities that were preserved and rehabilitated following the occupation. There, they grow coniferous and broadleaf seedlings, which are planted on secure sites.
Foresters have a stock of approximately 180,000 Scots pine seedlings for the autumn planting campaign. These will be used to restore forest plots and supplement existing forest cultures. In spring, seed sowings of Scots pine were also conducted, from which about 350,000 Scots pine seedlings are expected to be raised for the further restoration of forest massifs.
During the restoration of forests in Izyumske Forestry Management Unit, foresters also give preference to mixed woodlands. Thanks to this approach, the new plantations will be more resilient to climate change, pests, and disease. Consequently, an additional 150,000 pedunculate oak seedlings have been raised in the nurseries of Khotimlianske and Starosaltivske forestry units of the former Vovchanskyi forestry enterprise, which has also been incorporated into Izyumske Forestry Management Unit.
The cultivation of these seedlings will enable the restoration of tens of hectares of forest massifs that were destroyed by military operations.
Due to extensive mine contamination of over 140,000 ha, planting will only be possible on accessible, surveyed, and safe sites. Currently, State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) pyrotechnicians are working to clear mines from specific areas, including forest roads so that firefighting vehicles can safely pass in the event of a fire. Thus, demining remains one of the key challenges, as it is a matter of both personnel and environmental safety.
It should be noted that in autumn the restoration of Kharkiv Region’s forests will continue across the territories of other forestry management units of SFE “Forests of Ukraine” throughout the region.
Recall that this spring foresters from Branch “Slobozhanskyi Forest Office” have already planted nearly 300 ha of forest in Kharkiv Region.
In spring, the foresters’ primary task is planting the forest, while summer is the season for tending young trees.
Since the launch of the President’s “Green Country” programme, the area under forest planting has increased and, accordingly, so has the number of tending operations. It should be noted that approximately 100,000 ha of non-closed forest stands require maintenance, as such tending is essential to create favourable growing conditions and to timely reclassify these plots as lands covered by forest vegetation.
Currently, agrotechnical works are underway on these plots. We are removing herbaceous and shrub vegetation that impedes the growth and development of plants. Its proliferation was especially promoted by the rainy weather in most regions at the end of spring and in June. In areas with less rainfall (the east and the south), we are loosening the soil around the plants—this allows more moisture to reach the trees’ root systems.
Depending on weather conditions and the level of weed infestation, such measures are planned on average 3–4 times per year.
In the first half of 2025, forest-crop tending and natural regeneration works were carried out on 50,500 ha of the enterprise’s forest estate, amounting to 117 % of the planned volume.
What are the main trends in forest-crop tending operations?
– The share of mechanized tending operations is rising, now accounting for 90 % of all work.
– Specialized equipment that does not damage young trees is employed, boosting productivity and efficiency, especially over large areas.
– Thanks to increased mechanization, the cost of operations is falling.
– Timely forest-crop tending enhances seedling survival rates
This year’s investment plan of SFE “Forests of Ukraine” provides for the procurement of 156 units of soil‐cultivation equipment for forest‐crop tending.
“As of the end of the second quarter, the enterprise’s revenue from the sale of unprocessed timber reached UAH 8.9 billion.
“Forests of Ukraine” increased contributions to the state and local budgets by 40%! Tax payments in the first half of the year rose by over UAH 1.7 billion compared to the same period in 2024!
Post-tax profit is used to purchase new firefighting equipment (including 10 large fire trucks in the immediate plans), to develop modern seed centers and supporting infrastructure (forest roads, recreation sites, etc.), to restore forestry enterprises on de-occupied territories, and to mechanize harvesting (harvesters, forwarders, tractors, etc.).
The semi-annual contracts introduced at the initiative of SFE “Forests of Ukraine” management have proven highly successful. Under the forward contracts, buyers took delivery of the entire timber volume achieving a fulfillment rate of 101%!
Thanks to the forward contracts, wood processors can reserve the volume of raw material they need and lock in the price. The enterprise also benefits: the security deposit, refunded only after 97 % contract fulfillment, motivates buyers to take the entire contracted volume.
Next year, the share of forward contracts will be increased, with annual contracts also planned.
Under quarterly contracts for the second quarter, more than 95% of timber was shipped, which is a very high indicator, given the specifics of the sales system (unharvested timber is sold at auction) and the terms of the contracts (the buyer has the right to select up to 90% of the volume).
Most instances of non-fulfillment are attributable to buyers, who either refuse the goods or fail to make payment on time.
SFE “Forests of Ukraine” applies a flexible settlement policy, recognizing that producers may face working capital constraints since they do not receive immediate payment for the timber products they deliver.
But there are limits. Therefore, on occasion, the enterprise must suspend deliveries until the buyer settles outstanding debts, which to some extent impacts the contract fulfillment rate. Nevertheless, these are isolated incidents.
Overall, the timber market is currently balanced. The rapid appreciation of the euro has significantly strengthened Ukrainian exporters’ positions, so the forecasts for the second half of the year are more than optimistic,” says Yurii Bolokhovets.
“Many of them have received the highest state honours.
Today we warmly congratulate our forest master from the Drohobytske Forestry Management Unit of SFE “Forests of Ukraine,” Dmytro Khomin, on being awarded the “Golden Cross” distinction.”
Dmytro is one of those who, on the very first day of the full-scale invasion, voluntarily took up arms to defend Ukraine. He is currently carrying out combat missions with the 80th Air Assault Brigade.
He stopped the enemy in the Mykolaiv Region, took part in the counteroffensive in the Kherson Region, participated in the defense of Kreminna, in the operation in the Kursk Region, and in the defense of the Sumy Region.
On more than ten occasions, together with the Union Of Forestry Warriors Of Ukraine, they have sent Dmytro aid—radio stations, Starlink terminals, generators, charging stations, thermal imagers, quadcopters, an off-road vehicle, and other equipment.
This is not his first award. Last year, for the successful execution of combat missions and the preservation of his unit in challenging situations, Dmytro was honored with the “Cross of the Brave” distinction.
“We are incredibly proud!” said Yurii Bolokhovets.
The Security Department of SFE “Forests of Ukraine” has summed up its results for the first half of 2025.
The fewest incidents of illegal logging were recorded in Branch “Pivdennyi Forest Office” covering Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, and in Branch “Podilskyi Forest Office” in Ternopil and Khmelnytskyi regions.
The extent of damage in the regions mentioned is minimal.
Nearly half of all illegal logging occurs in Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
This year, SFE “Forests of Ukraine” integrated the Kharkiv state forestry enterprises from de-occupied territories, forming the Izyumske Forestry Management Unit on their basis. Inspections of these newly incorporated enterprises uncovered large-scale violations — the Security Department of SFE “Forests of Ukraine” has forwarded all case materials to law enforcement. Investigative authorities are now determining who, and on what grounds, felled thousands of cubic meters of timber.
The statistics for the Dnipropetrovsk Region reflect the limited access of the forest protection service to many forest areas, as the region is on the frontline.
This very factor applies to virtually all border regions—Sumy, Chernihiv, and so on.
In some rear regions, there is another problem—illegal loggers. At the end of last year, near the village of Yasinia in Rakhiv District, the police, together with the Security Department of SFE “Forests of Ukraine,” apprehended a group of local residents who had organized an illicit operation. They felled and transported up to 1,000 m³ of timber to nearby village sawmills. The damage is estimated at UAH 40 million. This is several times higher than the total losses recorded for the region in the first half of 2025. It is the consequences of such gangs’ activities, addressable only by law enforcement agencies, that drive the grim statistics on illegal logging.
How has the overall situation with illegal logging changed?
Data from the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine indicate that the average annual figures have remained more or less unchanged year-on-year.
The results for the first half of 2025 are unlikely to be an exception.
In fact, the forest protection service now records volumes of illegal logging that are three to four times lower than during the ten years preceding the establishment of SFE “Forests of Ukraine”.
Everything else is the result of the work of our internal security service. Prior to the forestry reform, there was simply no such structure as internal security focused on the systematic detection of violations. Today, its officers record what was previously concealed and did not appear in the official statistics.
Thus, the public has finally begun to see the real figures on illegal logging, rather than the fiction that had been “painted” in reports for decades.
Consequently, the answer is unequivocal: the situation is improving and oversight is tightening. However, there remain factors that foresters operating under martial law conditions cannot control.
The 49th Separate Assault Battalion “Karpatska Sich” is holding the line on the Toretsk direction, where fierce fighting continues. Delivering ammunition and provisions to the front for assault units has become markedly more challenging. Military vehicles are being hunted by enemy FPV drones and hit by artillery.
Ground‐based wheeled drones can help address this challenge. Most brigades are fielding them. These mini remote‐controlled transporters can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h and carry loads of up to 150 kg. Their key advantage is low visibility. Furthermore, losing a ground drone is far less painful than losing personnel.
The battalion is increasingly using such ground drones. However, they are not satisfied with the quality of the models supplied to the military unit. Broken equipment poses greater risks. It must be evacuated to the rear manually.
Within the battalion, there is a platoon responsible for servicing and repairing unmanned systems. Using their own repair facility, they can repair damaged drones and assemble new ones simultaneously. However, they lack specialized equipment and must rely on standard welding machines and other basic tools. This is inefficient, as repairs take a considerable amount of time.
Drawing on the experience of other brigades, the soldiers decided to establish a professional workshop of their own.
The 49th Separate Assault Battalion sent a request to SFE “Forests of Ukraine,” and we responded. The Union of Forestry Warriors Of Ukraine joined the effort, sourcing the necessary tools and equipment directly from manufacturers.
Currently additional quipment is being procured. Beyond the basic tool set, the mini-factory will include a drill-bit sharpening machine, a screw-cutting lathe, a belt-sanding machine, a plasma-cutting unit, and more. The total cost exceeds UAH 7 million.
What are other advantages of in-house production of ground drones:
-Producing ground drones in-house is twice as cheap.
-The mini-factory will increase productivity fivefold.
The handover will take place soon!