NABU uncovered a corruption scheme in the State Border Service with the participation of a former head
On January 22, anti-corruption authorities announced the exposure of former and current officials of the State Border Service of Ukraine, who are suspected of systematically receiving bribes for facilitating the unhindered crossing of the state border. All those involved have already been charged with suspicion.
Among the suspects are the former head of the State Border Service of Ukraine, the head of the department of one of the checkpoints, and another former employee of the agency. According to the investigation, in 2023, a group of people organized the illegal smuggling of tobacco products to the countries of the European Union. The passage of the cargo was ensured by border guards, who regularly received monetary compensation for this.
Investigators established that from July to November 2023, the participants in the scheme received at least 204 thousand euros. For the unhindered passage of each of the 68 cars, 3 thousand euros were paid.
To mask the illegal activity, vehicles registered in the Czech Republic and Austria were used, on which license plates imitating diplomatic ones were installed.
“The passengers of such cars were holders of diplomatic passports – family members of Ukrainian diplomats in Europe. The presence of such passengers made it possible to avoid inspection of the cars by the border and customs authorities of the EU countries. At the same time, detectives established that top officials of the State Border Guard Service previously served together with diplomats, whose relatives later became participants in this scheme,” the anti-corruption agency reported.
Currently, the issue of choosing a preventive measure for the suspects is being resolved. Their actions are qualified under Part 4 of Article 27 and Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Information also appeared about possible investigative actions against the former head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Serhiy Deinek within the framework of proceedings on receiving illegal benefits related to the smuggling of tobacco products. Anti-corruption authorities have not officially confirmed or denied this information.
“The Ministry of Internal Affairs has no information about any investigative actions conducted by anti-corruption authorities. Serhiy Deineko is an advisor to the Minister on a voluntary basis and, according to my information, is currently undergoing treatment,” the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.
Serhiy Deineko has headed the State Border Service since June 2019. At the end of December 2025, it became known about his resignation, and on January 4, 2026, about his appointment as an advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs. In this position, he was to take care of issues of state border security and strategic developments, combining work with military service. After rehabilitation, he planned to head a combat unit of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
