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Smuggling continues to be a pressing issue in 2026, with various schemes uncovered across Europe and Ukraine. In Volyn, Ukraine, a car-selling scheme involved importing cars as humanitarian aid for the Armed Forces but selling them instead. Estonia allowed the Baltic Spirit ship, initially suspected of drug smuggling, to sail to Russia. Meanwhile, in Germany, journalists exposed a scheme violating EU sanctions by smuggling bedding to Russia. These incidents highlight the challenges authorities face in deterring such activities, as well as the ongoing effort to bring perpetrators to justice. Ranging from fraudulent car imports to hidden drugs, the smuggling issue remains complex and far-reaching.
What recent smuggling schemes have been exposed in Ukraine?
Recent smuggling schemes in Ukraine include a fraudulent operation in Volyn where passenger cars were illegally imported under the guise of humanitarian aid for the Armed Forces, but were instead sold, and a separate incident involving concealed Apple devices worth over 35 million hryvnias being smuggled at the Nizhankovychi checkpoint.
How was the Baltic Spirit ship incident resolved in Estonia?
The Baltic Spirit ship, initially detained by Estonian authorities on suspicion of drug smuggling, was ultimately allowed to continue its journey to Russia after investigations. The decision reflects the complexities of international logistics and law enforcement coordination in smuggling cases.
What illegal activity was uncovered involving deliveries from Germany to Russia?
Journalists in Germany revealed a sophisticated smuggling scheme involving illegal parcel deliveries to Russia, which breached European Union sanctions. This exposure highlights the ongoing challenges and dynamic strategies employed to bypass international trade restrictions.
How did Ukrainian authorities address the smuggling of high-value electronics?
Ukrainian border guards discovered a large-scale smuggling attempt at the Nizhankovychi checkpoint, where Apple devices worth over 35 million hryvnias were concealed in a vehicle's undercarriage. The suspects were apprehended, and the operation underscores the vigilance required at border checkpoints to mitigate such risks.
What actions have European authorities taken against smuggling to Russia?
Authorities across Europe have been tackling smuggling to Russia through various measures, including detaining ships like the Baltic Spirit, exposing large smuggling rings, and monitoring illegal activities that breach sanctions. These efforts are crucial in maintaining regional security and economic integrity.
News smuggling
Antique coins and icons seized at border with Romania, – State Border Guard Service. PHOTO At the Ukrainian-Romanian border, border guards discovered antique coins and icons being transported by Ukrainian citizens. 2 300 7 Previously in trend: Return of cultural values
State Customs Service names hottest smuggling spots Following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the key smuggling window in Ukraine has changed. 2 603 8 Previously in trend: Customs
SSU thwarted attempt to deliver drone loaded with explosives to Odesa for terrorist attack. PHOTOS Ukraine's security services have uncovered an FSB smuggling route through which an attack drone intended for terrorist attacks was being transported to Odesa. 2 292 8 Previously in trend: Recruited FSB agents
Alcohol disguised as diplomatic cargo: scheme worth over 4 million hryvnias exposed. VIDEO+PHOTOS Prosecutors from the Office of the Prosecutor General, in collaboration with detectives from the Economic Security Bureau, have uncovered a group that had organised the import of alcohol into Ukraine under the guise of diplomatic cargo, with the intention of subsequently selling it on the... 3 506 11
Around 100 cars were brought in as "humanitarian aid for Armed Forces of Ukraine": car-selling scheme was uncovered in Volyn region. PHOTOS In Volyn region, law enforcement officers have uncovered a scheme involving the illegal import of passenger cars under the guise of humanitarian aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the investigation, between 2024 and 2026, around 100 cars were imported into Ukraine from European... 1 951 3 Previously in trend: Profiteering from humanitarian aid
Estonia allows Baltic Spirit ship, detained on suspicion of smuggling, to sail to Russia Estonia has allowed the cargo ship Baltic Spirit, detained on suspicion of transporting drugs, to continue its journey to Russia. 1 699 8 Previously in trend: Russia’s shadow fleet
Large-scale "shadow mail" from Germany: journalists expose scheme of illegal deliveries of bedding to Russia In Germany, a large-scale scheme for the illegal delivery of parcels to Russia was uncovered, in violation of European Union sanctions. 3 903 14 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia sanctions circumvention
Apple devices worth UAH 35 million hidden in car’s undercarriage: large-scale smuggling attempt has been uncovered, - State Border Guard Service. PHOTOS At the Nizhankovychi checkpoint, border guards discovered a large-scale attempt to illegally transport equipment worth over 35 million hryvnias. 4 156 11 Previously in trend: Smuggling of equipment
Bukovyna customs post official took $100 for each illegally imported iPhone. He has been detained, SBI says. VIDEO+PHOTOS SBI officers, working in coordination with the Internal Security Department of the State Customs Service, detained the deputy head of one of the Chernivtsi Customs posts for systematic bribery. The official helped entrepreneurs smuggle top models of Apple mobile phones into Ukraine. 17 502 24 Previously in trend: Customs Bribe takers at customs offices
Smuggling of medicines and online sales: Khmelnytskyi police shut down criminal group. PHOTOS Cyber police and investigators from the Khmelnytskyi region, under the procedural guidance of the Khmelnytskyi regional prosecutor's office, exposed and stopped the activities of a group of individuals who were smuggling foreign-made medicines into Ukraine. 1 144 5 Previously in trend: Tax violations
Russia supplies modern Kalashnikov assault rifles to Italian mafia, - media Russia is supplying new Kalashnikov assault rifles to Italian mafia clans, disguising them as oil shipments. The weapons arrive via ports in Sicily, Calabria, Greece and Egypt, and are also being smuggled into Italy by land. 6 358 16 Previously in trend: Smuggling of weapons
Customs officers found foreign currency worth 1.7 million UAH in parcel to Canada. PHOTOS Customs officers stopped an attempt to illegally send foreign currency from Ukraine to Canada by mail. 14 953 47
Former manager of businessman Granz Toktomushev works in Presidential Administration as advisor on veterans, IDPs and children’s rights, - BIHUS.Info In early 2025, Rysbek Toktomushev became an advisor to the Directorate for Veteran Policy, IDPs, Healthcare and Children's Rights of the Office of the President of Ukraine. Toktomushev is a long-time manager and ex-partner of businessman Artur Granz, who is associated with large-scale cigarette... 11 954 63 Previously in trend: Tokmushev, in his position at OP
Smuggling of historical and cultural property: MP and resident of Kyiv region exposed - Prosecutor General’s Office. PHOTOS Since the beginning of 2025, two attempts to export antiquities abroad have been prevented. A resident of Kyiv region and a deputy of one of the region's village councils were exposed. 3 231 1
Almost UAH 4 million earned on sale of "humanitarian" cars for Armed Forces: National Police detains organisers of criminal scheme in Bukovyna. PHOTO Law enforcement officers in Chernivtsi region exposed the organiser and his accomplices who were importing and selling "humanitarian" vehicles intended for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 3 458 9
Cocaine instead of ground coffee: Smuggling channel of drugs from EU to Ukraine is blocked - National Police. PHOTOS Law enforcers jointly with investigators of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the State Customs Service of Ukraine in Lviv region blocked the illegal activities of a criminal drug group whose members set up a scheme to smuggle cocaine from the EU to Ukraine. The offenders disguised... 4 047 33
Spanish police seize 13 tons of banned chemicals bound for Russia The chemicals were supplied to Russia through a shell company run by Russian citizens. The police noted that the scheme involved a subsidiary company in Moscow, as well as several shell companies, in particular in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. 3 013 3
SSU eliminates arms and ammunition sales channel in Chernihiv region - SID of National Police. VIDEO In Chernihiv region, police blocked a firearms and ammunition sales channel. 3 132 9
Border guards prevent export of 1713 Stradivarius violin abroad. PHOTOS A Stradivarius violin made in 1713 was found on the border with Romania, which was being smuggled out of Ukraine. 7 132 48
War and contraband: Ukraine loses more than €500 billion in budget revenues from cigarette contraband alone Experts from the international research agency KANTAR estimate that this amount is sufficient for Ukraine to boost its defense capabilities with 20 F-16 fighter jets 4 072 61
Man tried to bring UAH 8 million in cash to Ukraine - State Customs Service. PHOTO A 37-year-old Ukrainian tried to bring a large amount of cash hryvnia into Ukraine, but he was stopped at the Ustyluh post (Volyn region) during customs control. 15 802 53
BES conducts searches in companies of Odesa businessman deprived of citizenship for smuggling Detectives of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine (BES) conducted authorized searches in warehouses, offices and production facilities of legal entities controlled by an Odesa businessman against whom the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) imposed personal sanctions for smuggling. According to media reports, this is Vadym Alperin. 3 987 5
Zelenskyy signed law on criminal liability for smuggling President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Draft Law No. 5420 criminalizing smuggling, imposing fines and imprisonment depending on the value of smuggled goods, which will come into force in July 2024. The law is part of the requirements for receiving macro-financial assistance from the European Union. 3 831 21
Two contract soldiers tried to sell "trophy" Russian weapons captured near Bakhmut to criminals - Security Service of Ukraine. VIDEO&PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine terminated another channel of illegal sale of weapons and ammunition in the frontline territory of Donetsk region. 12 684 37
SSU and Spanish law enforcement officers detained smugglers who wanted to sell Ukrainian "Scythian gold" for more than 60 million euros in Madrid. PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine jointly with the BES and the police of the Kingdom of Spain neutralised a transnational criminal group that illegally exported "Scythian gold" products from Ukraine for sale in the EU. 14 944 108
They tried to transport almost ton of contraband to Ukraine by bus. When it was discovered, drivers almost ran away with belongings of passengers. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS The drivers of a bus from Izmir to Kharkiv operated by Nicholas-TransAuto LLC tried to smuggle 900 kg of illegal cargo into Ukraine. When border guards demanded that they pay a duty of $1,800-$2,000, the drivers almost escaped with the passengers’ belongings and documents. 10 356 31
Border guards prevented export of Stradivarius violin abroad - Interior Ministry. PHOTOS Border guards prevented the export of a 1730 Antonio Stradivarius violin. 7 752 63
U.S. could send guns and ammunition confiscated from Iranian smugglers to Ukraine - The Wall Street Journal According to The Wall Street Journal, the United States is considering sending Ukraine 5,000 assault rifles and 1.6 million rounds of ammunition confiscated from smugglers and intended for Iranian-backed militants in Yemen. 9 196 33 Previously in trend: Aid to Ukraine
Russia sells stolen Ukrainian grain and spends money on war, - Associated Press Russia took out dozens of ships with grain from the occupied regions of Ukraine. The proceeds from the sale were used to finance the war. 2 854 7 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
No cases of arms smuggling from Ukraine have been recorded so far, - Europol European Police Office (Europol) on Friday clarified its statement regarding alleged weapons smuggling from Ukraine in war - it said they were talking about a potential threat, not specific cases. 3 387 16 Previously in trend: War
Rumors about "arms smuggling" coincide in time with deployment of Russia's special operation to discredit Ukraine, - Danilov Foreign mass media spread the statement of Europol spokesman Jap Op Gen Oort, as if cases of arms smuggling from Ukraine had been recorded. 3 983 46 Previously in trend: War
Russians establish channel of smuggling of sanctioned goods through territory of Georgia, - Main Intelligence Directorate of Ministry of Defense Due to the introduction of international sanctions, Russia has lost the ability to supply a wide range of military, dual and civilian goods. To circumvent the sanctions, Russian agents are setting up smuggling channels that pass, in particular, through Georgia. 14 882 83 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
SBU conducts pre-trial investigation into UBC Group plant operation in occupied Crimea and supply of equipment to ORDLO The Security Service of Ukraine is conducting a pre-trial investigation into information that the UBC Group's refrigeration plant continues to operate in occupied Crimea and supplies products in particular to the Russian-occupied territories. 3 423 17
"Smoke screen": MFA decries Russia’s fake allegations against Ukrainian diplomats in Lebanon The fake story about the alleged wrongdoings of the Ukrainian diplomats working in Lebanon, launched by the Russian foreign ministry, aims to create a smokescreen amid the fallout over the case involving Russian diplomats smuggling cocaine. 7 144 10
SBU blocks cocaine smuggling channel at Boryspil airport. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has blocked the smuggling of a consignment of cocaine worth about UAH 11.5 million, which was being smuggled by a citizen of one of the countries of Latin America. 3 247 17
NSDC meeting to discuss situation in Donbas, expansion of sanctions against organizers, perpetrators of smuggling schemes on Thursday – President's Office At a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), which will take place on Thursday, April 15, the situation in Donbas and the issue of expanding the package of sanctions against the organizers and perpetrators of smuggling schemes will be discussed, the President's Office of Ukraine said. 8 466 27 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine
Two Ukrainian diplomats recalled from Poland on suspicion of corruption Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has recalled from abroad two employees of the Ukrainian Embassy in Poland who are suspected of corruption. 17 289 63
SBU operatives reveal 112 kg of cocaine in Odesa's Pivdenny seaport. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Operatives of the SBU (Ukraine's State Security Service) found 112 kilograms of cocaine in the container with bananas, which arrived in the Pivdenny seaport, Odesa. 8 070 50
Ukrainian busted carrying over 100 antique items across border with Poland. PHOTOS Workers of the Halytska customs office detained a Ukrainian citizen who was crossing the border with Poland carrying more than a hundred pieces of antique. 5 595 27
39 high-ranking officials dismissed due to SBU work - SBU head Bakanov The Security Service of Ukraine successfully performs the task of the President to root out corruption and combat smuggling. 3 854 28
Ukrainian tried to smuggle 6,000 cigarette packs to Romania. VIDEO More than six thousand packs of smuggled cigarettes were discovered by border guards during the car inspection. 1 958 4
Ukrainian tried to smuggle medical drugs from Belarus. VIDEO At the Pishchia checkpoint on the border with Belarus, the border guards seized medicines that a citizen of Ukraine was trying to smuggle into the country. 2 257 19
SBU seizes 257 kg of cocaine from South America in Odesa. PHOTO The officers of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in Odesa region along with the Prosecutor’s Office, National Police, Border Guard Service and State Fiscal Service revealed a sea channel of smuggling from the country in South America of large amounts of cocaine. 10 801 74
Vessels involved in preventing Ukrainian ships from passing through Kerch Strait belong to persons running business in Ukraine, - InformNapalm. PHOTOS The Neyma tanker and tug boats Bystryi, Gandvik and Eltigen, which were deployed near the Kerch Strait bridge's arc to block the passage of Ukrainian ships, belong to individuals doing business in Ukraine. 50 608 61 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Azov Sea blockade
PM Hroisman on fight against smuggling: "Extra 400M hryvnia go to budget on a daily basis" Ukraine’s budget additionally receives more than 400 million hryvnia generated by the anti-smuggling campaign on a daily basis. 4 933 66
Ex-customs officer Aminev charged with major theft bailed out Ex-member of the Odesa-based customs office, Denys Aminev charged with the theft of 37 containers with goods worth 140 million hryvnia (almost $5 million) was released on bail of just 1.7 million hryvnia (about $60,300). 5 026 79
SBU takes interest in PM Hroisman’s fellow countrymen: high ranking Vinnytsa tax policeman apprehended on extortion charges. PHOTOS Law enforcers detained the head of State Fiscal Service Directorate in charge of the Vinnytsia region and his accomplice for extorting 500,000 hryvnia from a businessman. 10 064 31 Previously in trend: Fighting corruption in Ukraine
SBU checks whether Mercedes owned by PM’s wife was properly customs-cleared, Hroisman connects it with response to recently launched anti-smuggling campaign. DOCUMENT Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) requested the Zhytomyr customs office to submit papers necessary to check customs clearance of Mercedes purchased by prime minister’s wife Olena Hroisman in 2017. 26 394 131
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