Salahor Mykola Mykhailovych

Criminal organisation at the Chernivtsi Customs: "grey" imports through the Vadul-Siret checkpoint with losses of almost UAH 290 million (2017–2019)

According to NABU and SAPO, in 2017–2019 a criminal organisation of three organised groups, which included heads of the Chernivtsi Customs Office and entrepreneurs, imported goods from Turkey (clothing, footwear, accessories) through the "Vadul-Siret" customs post, declaring trucks as empty or disguising the goods with "cover goods"; the customs leadership, according to investigators, ensured priority passage without inspection. Losses — almost UAH 290 million in unpaid duties (total amount for all participants). On 16 April 2024 notices of suspicion were served on 11 persons, including the former head of the customs office (a former member of the Chernivtsi Regional Council), whom investigators consider a co-organiser; on 20 September 2024 the HACC approved plea agreements with four entrepreneurs (not involving the former head of the customs office). On 30 September 2025 the indictment against 6 participants, including the former head of the customs office, was sent to court. Official statements do not name names; according to Transparency International Ukraine and Ekonomichna Pravda, the former head of the customs office is Mykola Salahor. There is no verdict regarding him.

Pre-trial investigation body:

National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine

Proceedings:

52024000000000292

Charges:

ч. 1 ст. 255 КК України, ч. 2 ст. 364 КК України, ч. 3 ст. 212 КК України, ч. 4 ст. 345-1 КК України, ч. 3 ст. 368 КК України, ч. 4 ст. 369 КК України