Nikoloski: Dračevo substation theft could not have been pulled off without EVN and railway insiders
Police say the attack on the Dračevo traction substation caused around €5 million in damage while yielding about €100,000 in copper sales; officials suspect inside help from EVN and railway employees.
The electrical traction substation at Dračevo — owned by Macedonian Railways – Infrastructure — suffered what officials describe as an organised, expert theft that left critical equipment damaged and the facility out of service for an extended period.
Investigators estimate the physical damage at about 5 million euros, while the criminals are believed to have profited roughly 100,000 euros from selling the stolen copper. Police continue to search for those responsible after thieves damaged transformers and stripped all copper from the site.
How the theft was carried out
Two transformers weighing 27 tonnes each were moved about five metres during the operation, which authorities say indicates the use of specialised machinery such as hydraulic jacks. The substation operates at 25,000 volts; officials stressed that handling such equipment requires specialised knowledge and presents lethal risks.
"This is something that only highly skilled people can do; an ordinary person cannot handle high-voltage electricity, nor can the machinery used there be found just anywhere," said Aleksandar Nikoloski, vice premier and minister of transport.
Nikoloski described the incident as almost cinematic and said the thieves appear to have been prepared and professional. He added: "It was carried out literally in one night and clearly by highly professional thieves. I am convinced — though, of course, I am not leading the investigation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is — that without people from EVN and without insiders from the Railways this could not have been done, and the investigation will likely confirm that, but I leave it to the Ministry to prosecute those who did this," Nikoloski said.
Police have collected traces from the scene, including gloves, and will need to verify whether they belonged to the perpetrators. Investigators are to interview potential witnesses and employees of Macedonian Railways, and they are checking scrap metal yards because the stolen copper must have been sold somewhere. Employees noticed the theft about two weeks ago and reported it, but it is unclear exactly when the robbery took place; investigators currently assume it occurred within the two weeks prior to discovery.
Photo: press material from the event
