Water for Mykolaiv: Interlegal law team helped to release drilling rig seized en route to Ukraine
24 June, 2025
22
The Client, consignee of the drilling rig being transported from Germany to Ukraine, applied to Interlegal. The equipment was designated for the purpose of drilling water intake wells in Mykolaiv. As a result of military aggression of the russian federation, the city faced serious problems with central water supply for a long time. Due to constant shelling, destruction of critical infrastructure and threat of a humanitarian crisis, it is an urgent security issue to provide alternative water sources for Mykolaiv residents.
However, on one of the German autobahns, a truck carrying a drilling rig was involved in major traffic accident, followed by arrest of both the vehicle and the cargo. Equipment, which was supposed to help fixing alternative water supply in an unbreakable Ukrainian city, got stuck at the very start of its route.
When it comes to equipment that provides access to water for thousands of people, only hours left. Our law team immediately responded to the request.
Interlegal experts were immediately engaged in the matter. First of all, they enlisted support of our associated office in Germany. While Odesa law team was doing its work online, our German colleagues were able to act on site, having facilitated lightning-fast interaction with local authorities and services. Such approach allows us not to waste a single minute.
We understood that such case concerned not only our client’s business interests. It meant not just commercial equipment, but securing the basic needs of life for thousands of Mykolaiv residents. That is why it was not only a professional task for us, but also a matter of humanitarian importance – to achieve release of the seized equipment as soon as possible.
Thanks to clear coordination of Interlegal Ukrainian and German law teams, the drilling rig was released from arrest in the shortest possible time. The equipment moved on to where it was so awaited.
For the entire Interlegal law team, this case reminded that our work has a real impact on the lives of entire communities. Mykolaiv is a city that holds on despite everything. We are immensely proud that we were able to make a small contribution to supporting its invincibility!
Interlegal lawyer Dmytro Karetnikov and managing associate Taras Dragan, managed by partner Karyna Gorova, led the project.
