# Shadow economy
The EU has authorised the detention and inspection of vessels linked to Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’
European Union countries have granted military vessels in the Mediterranean the right to detain and inspect foreign ships they consider to be part of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’. These new powers have been granted to Operation IRINI.
"If institutions fail to do their job, we see the shadow economy flourishing," - says Anna Derevianko
Anna Derevianko stated that over 40% of Ukraine’s economy operates in the shadow economy. And due to a relaxation of controls, grey-market schemes have even spread to the healthcare sector. Yet it is precisely the formalisation of the economy that would make it possible to avoid tax increases.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has concluded its internal investigation into possible breaches of the law in the ‘Clean City’ case, which was overseen by Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has concluded an internal investigation into possible breaches of the law by Ruslan Magamedrasulov, head of the bureau’s detective unit. He had previously been accused of receiving funds in exchange for helping to avoid prosecution for Volodymyr Solonchak, who featured in Komarnytskyi’s recordings in the “Clean City” case. At the time, the investigation was overseen by the current director of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi.
“The customs overhaul is stalling,” - says the anti-corruption centre “Mezha”
Despite his public promises, the new head of the State Customs Service, Orest Mandziy, has begun a restructuring of the Service starting with middle management rather than overhauling the senior leadership. Furthermore, he has extended the contract of his deputy, whose integrity is questioned by campaigners.
Carriers have called on the government to step up the fight against the black market in international transport
Industry transport associations have appealed to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Svyrydenko, calling for the introduction of systematic measures to combat illegal international passenger transport. The industry reports significant losses to the budget and risks to passengers.
‘Don’t pretend you’ve achieved anything,’ said the MP, criticising the director of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine for manipulating the results of their work
MP Danylo Getmantsev stated that parliamentarians are dissatisfied with the slow progress in bringing the economy out of the shadows, and that, instead of delivering tangible results, the Economic Security Bureau is ‘feeding’ the public with presentations and manipulating the figures in its reports.
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.
