# Shadow economy
The tax authorities have uncovered a scheme to funnel nearly 200 billion hryvnias abroad via a network of high-risk companies
The State Tax Service has announced that it has uncovered evidence of a large-scale scheme to transfer funds abroad via more than 2,300 companies. The total value of foreign trade transactions carried out by these entities exceeded 198 billion hryvnias.
Journalists have uncovered questionable assets belonging to the head of the Kyiv Regional Directorate of the State Security Service, who was appointed by Tsivinsky
Roman Lysakovsky, whom Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi recently appointed as acting head of the Kyiv regional office of the Economic Security Bureau, stated in his latest declaration that his wife—a dentist and owner of a dental practice in Ternopil—earned just over 60,000 UAH over the course of the year. However, she recently sold this practice, which was a successful business.
Why have forensic economic assessments become a problem for businesses, and how does this relate to Ukraine’s investment climate?
Despite the law enforcement agencies’ high-profile statements about protecting businesses, entrepreneurs continue to face numerous instances of pressure from the authorities. One of the most common tools used for this purpose remains forensic economic analysis.
Following the exposure of ESBU staff taking bribes, the Rada called for an investigation into the agency’s criminal proceedings
Two employees of the Economic Security Bureau have been charged with accepting bribes. In light of these events, the Verkhovna Rada has called for an investigation into the agency’s activities and the legality of the criminal proceedings that have been opened.
The State Bureau of Investigation has caught two ESBU employees taking bribes
Officers from the State Bureau of Investigations, in collaboration with the Security Service of Ukraine, have exposed two employees of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine who are suspected of using their official positions to accept bribes. This involves two separate criminal proceedings.
The Economic Security Bureau is unaware of the specific hardware and software system for which MPs are requesting 81 million hryvnias from the budget
The Economic Security Bureau was unable to explain exactly which hardware and software system the agency requires 81 million hryvnias for. The Bureau’s management had previously approached MPs with a request for funding to purchase it.
A breakthrough in the fight against these schemes will come when the Security Service of Ukraine stops taking part in them and pretending to do its job, says an MP
MP Danylo Getmantsev stated that, in order to tackle the black market in tobacco, smuggling and grey imports, the State Customs Service must stop participating in these schemes and pretending to do its job.
The reform of the State Customs Service will cost around €1.2 billion
The reform of Ukraine’s State Customs Service requires funding of around €1.2 billion. A significant portion of the funds is expected to come from international donors.
The global volume of illegal online gambling has reached $5.9 trillion
The turnover in the unregulated online gambling sector reached $5.9 trillion in 2025. This is according to a new study by Gaming Compliance International.
Against the backdrop of the growth of the illegal gambling market, the ESBU’s performance in this area has more than halved
Despite the rise in underground gambling, the Economic Security Bureau has significantly scaled back its efforts to combat the illegal gambling market.
Getmantsev has announced a committee meeting on the BEB report for 25 May
Danylo Getmantsev, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada’s Finance Committee, has announced that an open committee meeting will be held on 25 May, at which the committee plans to hear a report from the Economic Security Bureau. The meeting will be streamed online.
The aviation industry has warned of the risk of losing maintenance infrastructure due to pressure from the ESBU
Ukrainian airlines and market experts are warning of risks to the aircraft maintenance infrastructure due to harassment by the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine
