The Bureau of Economic Security (BES) of Ukraine has been pivotal in 2026 for identifying and dismantling major economic crime networks across the nation. Notable discoveries include a criminal organization involved in siphoning approximately 23.5 billion hryvnias through money-laundering and cryptocurrency channels. In a separate incident, an underground petrol production group was caught producing 233,000 litres of counterfeit petrol in the Kirovohrad and Dnipropetrovsk regions. These operations reinforce the BES's critical role in combating illegal financial activities and ensuring economic stability within Ukraine's borders. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to protect the economy and deter future economic crimes.
What notable actions has the Bureau of Economic Security taken in 2026?
In 2026, the Bureau of Economic Security (BES) has undertaken numerous significant actions, including uncovering an extensive money-laundering center processing over 23.5 billion hryvnias and dismantling counterfeit petrol production schemes, showcasing its commitment to ensuring economic security in Ukraine.
How has the BES addressed the issue of counterfeit fuel production?
The BES has actively targeted counterfeit fuel production by uncovering and shutting down operations in regions like Kirovohrad and Dnipropetrovsk, seizing vast quantities of illegal fuel and preventing its distribution to safeguard market integrity.
Why is the BES's work crucial for Ukraine's economy?
The BES plays a vital role in protecting Ukraine’s economy by detecting and preventing financial crimes such as money-laundering and counterfeit operations, ensuring legal economic practices, and contributing to the nation's overall stability and economic growth.
What are the implications of the BES's recent crackdown on illegal activities?
The recent crackdowns by the BES imply a stronger regulatory environment in Ukraine, deterring economic crimes and reinforcing the integrity of financial and trade activities, thus bolstering domestic and international confidence in Ukraine's economic system.
In what ways is the BES contributing to law enforcement efforts against economic crimes?
The BES contributes significantly to law enforcement against economic crimes by collaborating with other Ukrainian agencies such as the Office of the Prosecutor General and the National Police, thereby enhancing national efforts to eliminate illegal economic activities and protect public resources.
News Bureau of Economic Security
Case of illegal currency exchange bureaux: seizure of over 630 million hryvnias is largest in the history of BES, - Tsivinsky. PHOTOS Oleksandr Tsivinskyi, Director of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, stated that the seizure of over 630 million hryvnias in various currencies during an operation against a shadow financial network was the largest cash seizure in the history of the Economic Security Bureau. 1 712 4 Previously in trend: financial fraud
Over 630 million hryvnias in cash and searches across 16 regions: OGP and the BES have uncovered shadow financial network. PHOTOS A large-scale underground financial network has been uncovered which, according to the investigation, operated throughout Ukraine and was used for tax evasion and money laundering. During more than 30 searches across 16 regions, law enforcement officers seized cash amounting to over 630 million... 1 563 4 Previously in trend: financial fraud
23.5 billion hryvnias channelled through money-laundering centre: OGP and BES have uncovered criminal organisation that was siphoning off funds via cryptocurrency. VIDEO+PHOTOS Under the procedural guidance of prosecutors from the Office of the Prosecutor General, detectives from the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) uncovered a ‘money-laundering centre’ through which around 500 million hryvnias passed each month. 10 177 23 Previously in trend: Conversion Center
Economic Security Bureau has shut down underground petrol production operation: 233,000 litres of counterfeit petrol worth 50 million hryvnias have been seized. PHOTO The Economic Security Bureau has uncovered a group of individuals who organised the illegal production and sale of counterfeit fuel in the Kirovohrad and Dnipropetrovsk regions. During searches, law enforcement officers seized 233,000 litres of a liquid resembling petrol, with the total value of... 1 615 6 Previously in trend: produced counterfeits
Network of underground tobacco workshops has been dismantled in two regions: equipment, products and cash have been seized. VIDEO&PHOTOS Prosecutors from the Office of the Prosecutor General, in collaboration with the National Police and the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, have shut down illegal cigarette manufacturing operations in the Lviv and Kharkiv regions. 2 372 15
ESBU conducts searches at metallurgical plant in Brovary: deputies involved in schemes, media reports On July 2, detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU) are conducting searches and investigative actions at a metallurgical plant in Brovary, Kyiv region, owned by LLC ALTEH and LLC BRAZ. The tax machinations of the persons involved in the case amount to hundreds of millions of... 2 477 6 Previously in trend: Tax violations work of BES
ESBU takes interest in "witch" Tykha after MP Zhelezniak’s fraud and income concealment claim. DOCUMENT The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU) has launched an analytical review into possible unlawful actions by Mariia Arefieva, known as "Mariia Tykha." 5 662 17 Previously in trend: Fraudulent schemes Suspicion notice against Mariia Tykha in fraud case
Substandard shelters for schools and military: 47-million-hryvnia scheme has been uncovered. PHOTOS Participants in the scheme embezzled over 47 million hryvnias of public funds during the procurement of modular shelters for schools, communities and military units. They supplied protective structures that did not comply with state building regulations. 867 10
BES has announced competitive selection processes for the positions of heads of seven regional offices The Economic Security Bureau has announced competitive selection processes for the positions of heads of seven of BES regional offices: in Vinnytsia, Volyn, Zakarpattia, Kyiv, Lviv, and Poltava regions, as well as in the city of Kyiv. 3 121 6 Previously in trend: work of BES
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... 3 551 11
Embezzlement of 5.5 million hryvnias in procurement of electronic warfare equipment and FPV drones for Armed Forces of Ukraine: case referred to court. VIDEO+PHOTOS An indictment has been filed against an organised group accused of embezzling over 5.5 million hryvnias of public funds allocated for the procurement of electronic warfare equipment and drones for the front line. 1 836 10 Previously in trend: stealing
National Police have exposed organised group that purchased electronic warfare equipment for AFU, causing losses of 5.6 million hryvnias. PHOTOS Operatives from the National Police’s Department of Strategic Investigations and detectives from the Economic Security Bureau have uncovered an organised group involved in the embezzlement of public funds allocated for the purchase of equipment for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. 1 435 3 Previously in trend: Misappropriation of budget funds
Procurement scheme for "Ukrgazvydobuvannia" involving overpayments of 2-3 times amount has been uncovered: losses exceed 295 million hryvnias, - SSU. PHOTO The Security Service of Ukraine, the Economic Security Bureau and the Office of the Prosecutor General have uncovered an illegal scheme in the natural gas extraction sector. 1 647 2 Previously in trend: Procurement fraud at Ukrgazvydobuvannia
Bureau of Economic Security launches investigation into Ze-blogger Zolkin over tax evasion and money laundering. DOCUMENT Bureau of Economic Security (BEB) is investigating possible violations related to tax evasion and the legalization of income by Ze-blogger Volodymyr Zolkin. 12 870 30 Previously in trend: Zolkin’s activities
Elite cars, real estate and Russian passports: what Bihus.Info journalists found in family of BES official from Volyn. VIDEO The family of Serhii Zhuravlov, deputy head of the Volyn regional office of the Bureau of Economic Security, owns expensive cars and elite real estate. The official himself explains some of these assets as help from his father, who lives in occupied territory and holds a Russian passport. 14 300 41 Previously in trend: cases of illicit enrichment
Tsyvinskyi responded to media investigations about Mudia, employee of Lviv BES: Bureau’s reboot will be completed The head of the Bureau of Economic Security, Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi, commented on the journalists' investigation into the case of Roman Mudia, an employee of the Lviv BES whose family became millionaires. 9 381 47 Previously in trend: Probe into BES officer Roman Mud
Family of Lviv BES officer Mud has become millionaires – media. VIDEO Journalists of Ukrainska Pravda filmed a story about the former head of the BES operational department in the Lviv region, whom local law enforcement reportedly referred to as the informal overseer of the bureau’s operations across the region. 11 105 42 Previously in trend: Probe into BES officer Roman Mud
G7 ambassadors on Tsyvinskyi’s appointment: It promotes improving Ukraine’s business climate G7 ambassadors welcome Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi’s appointment as director of the Bureau of Economic Security (BES). 843 8 Previously in trend: Tsyvinskyi appointed as new director of BES
Maternova welcomes Tsyvinskyi’s appointment as BES head: It is key reform for EU accession The European Union Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Maternova, called the appointment of Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi as head of the Economic Security Bureau "great news" and an important step toward Ukraine’s EU membership. 941 9 Previously in trend: Tsyvinskyi appointed as new director of BES
Tsyvinskyi appointed director of BES - Svyrydenko Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi has been appointed director of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine. 7 451 72 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
Svyrydenko had conversation with Tsyvinskyi: he agreed to take polygraph test (updated) Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko held talks with the winner of the competition for the position of director of the Economic Security Bureau, Oleksandr Tsivinskyi. 4 417 31 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
SSU reported that there were no grounds for my non-appointment - Tsyvinskyi. PHOTO Oleksandr Tsyvynskyi said that the Security Service of Ukraine has officially confirmed that there are no grounds for non-appointment of the Director of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine. 4 071 19 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
BES Commission member Malaskevichius: Shocked by scale of attempts to influence our decision The selection committee for the position of NABU director has reported attempts to influence their decision. 3 441 20 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
Currently, there are no obstacles to appointment of Tsyvinskyi as BES director. I hope it will happen," - Stefan, member of commission The members of the selection committee for the position of director of the BES see no obstacles to the appointment of Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi as director of the Bureau. 2 165 13 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
Cabinet of Ministers has not appointed elected head of BES again, - Zhelezniak At its meeting, the government once again failed to approve Oleksandr Tsivinskyi, who was selected by the competition commission to head the Economic Security Bureau. 9 223 62 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
European Commission urges Ukraine to promptly appoint head of BES – media The European Commission has officially urged the Ukrainian authorities to promptly appoint the head of the Bureau of Economic Security (BES) in accordance with current law and transparent selection procedures. 2 013 19 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
Documents regarding my appointment as Director of BES are already in Cabinet of Ministers, - Tsyvinskyi. DOCUMENTS The documents on the appointment of Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi to the post of BES Director have already been submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. 4 603 18 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
Problem of corruption in Ukraine is "exaggerated," – Svyrydenko Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko considers the problem of corruption in Ukraine to be "exaggerated." 12 626 168 Previously in trend: Corruption in Ukraine Competition for BES head
Svyrydenko on situation with BES: Everything was done according to law. VIDEO Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko believes that the procedure by which the Cabinet of Ministers did not appoint the BES chairman elected by the commission was in line with the law. 6 811 57 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
Commission for selecting BES director will not review its decision, documents will be returned to Cabinet of Ministers The Commission for the Selection of the Director of the Bureau of Economic Security decided not to reconsider its decision. Both Ukrainian and international members of the commission agreed with this. 7 078 40 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
Tsivinskyi: It’s crucial for me to find out which "security assessments" led to rejection of my candidacy for head of BES Oleksandr Tsyvynskyi commented on the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to reject his candidacy for the post of head of the Bureau of Economic Security. 11 535 51 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
Cabinet of Ministers illegally rejects competition commission’s decision on new BES head, jeopardizing IMF and EU commitments – Zhelezniak On Monday, July 7, the government refused to appoint the winner of the competition for the position of director of the Economic Security Bureau (ESB). People’s Deputy Yaroslav Zhelezniak stated that this decision by the Cabinet violates the ESB law and undermines Ukraine’s commitments to the IMF... 4 146 22 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
Competition for BES chief: Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi elected as director The selection committee has chosen a new director for Ukraine’s Bureau of Economic Security (BES). Committee members voted in favor of Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi, head of the detective unit in the Second Main Directorate of NABU. 4 771 18 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
Candidate for position of director of BEB Skomarov on his father’s Russian passport: forced to obtain it while under occupation The other day, the media reported that the father of Oleksandr Skomarov, a key candidate for the post of BES director, had received Russian citizenship in 2024. Today, on 8 June, Skomarov explained the circumstances under which his father was forced to obtain Russian citizenship. 15 397 133 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
BES detective and police investigator caught soliciting $150,000 bribe from businessman – NABU The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have exposed a Bureau of Economic Security (BES) detective and a Kyiv region police investigator for soliciting a $150,000 bribe from a company executive. 2 544 15 Previously in trend: Grafters
Candidates for BES head: work with Arbuzov, scientific works with quotes from Tatarov and Russian Federation, - media. PHOTO Among the 16 finalists for the new head of the Bureau of Economic Security, there are at least six with interesting backgrounds. 8 724 51 Previously in trend: Competition for BES head
At least UAH 153 million embezzled from Kyiv city budget during construction of Podilskyi Bridge – SSU. PHOTO The Security Service and the BES documented new facts of embezzlement from the Kyiv city budget. According to the case, the offenders embezzled at least UAH 153 million, which were intended for the construction of the Podilskyi Bridge over the Dnipro River. 2 553 19
Counterfeit fuel was produced and sold: UAH 13.5 million worth of "goods" seized in Cherkasy region - BES. PHOTOS Detectives of the Main Detective Unit of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine uncovered illegal manufacture and sale of excisable goods, in particular petrol and diesel fuel, in the Cherkasy region. 1 671 10
BES received information about Ukrainian OnlyFans users: searches have begun The Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv provided the Bureau of Economic Security with information on all Ukrainian citizens registered on the OnlyFans platform and receiving income there. 13 499 58
Head of BES regional office in Poltava region Pakhnits declared $6.5 million in cash and single-engine plane - declaration In his annual declaration for 2023, Oleh Pakhnits, the head of the BES territorial office in Poltava region, declared cash savings of $6.5 million, a single-engine Socata TB 20 GT aircraft, as well as cars, dozens of land plots, apartments, parking spaces and a residential building. 52 954 168
After high-profile searches by BES, illegal tobacco factories have resumed operations Producers of illegal cigarettes have resumed their work, despite loud statements by MPs and searches by law enforcement officers at their facilities. 8 030 23
They embezzled UAH 36 million for equipment for SU-27: New suspicion is served on former head of defense company and his accomplices. PHOTOS The SSU CI jointly with the BES and in cooperation with the management of JSC "Ukrainian Defense Industry" uncovered new episodes of misappropriation of budget funds for the purchase of spare parts for the Armed Forces of Ukraine combat aircraft - Su-27 and Mig-29. 4 536 10
Financing Russian agents in Ukraine: Network of underground brokers of sanctioned Webmoney exposed. PHOTOS Law enforcers liquidated a network of underground online services that operated through the Russian payment system Webmoney, which is banned in Ukraine. 2 548 2
Fortification manufacturer BetonEnergo appeals to President due to BES pressure The head of one of the leading manufacturers of fortifications and shelters, BetonEnergo, Oleksandr Mazurok, said that the Bureau of Economic Security had completely blocked the company's work and thus left new infrastructure facilities and civilians unprotected. 4 911 5
4.7 million euros in trunk were carried by driver of supplying company of MoD and accountant of Hlyniana’s firm 4.7 million euros were transported by a Meatmix accountant accompanied by a Meatprom expediter driver. 48 542 12
BES has completed its investigation against Kolomoiskyi: He will be tried on 4 articles BES detectives have completed a pre-trial investigation against businessman Ihor Kolomoiskyi. 5 085 25
Director of company selling military ammunition imported under guise of humanitarian aid is served notice of suspicion - BES. PHOTOS The director of a company that imported helmets and bulletproof vests to Ukraine under the guise of humanitarian aid, allegedly for the needs of the National Guard and the Armed Forces, was served a notice of suspicion. 4 086 9
Rada adopted draft law on reform of BES The Verkhovna Rada adopted a draft law on restarting the Bureau of Economic Security. 5 029 16
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