Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine
Ukrainian airlines operate 131 leased aircraft out of 152, which is 86% of the fleet. The Bureau of Economic Security is investigating cases against 5 airlines over the interpretation of lease payments as royalties.
The lawyer stated that the BEB is obliged to take into account the results of the State Tax Service audits, which found no violations in the taxation of leasing. She emphasized that criminal prosecution requires new evidence, not a change in interpretation.
Law enforcement officers exposed two underground tobacco factories in Kharkiv and Lviv regions. More than 115,000 packs of cigarettes, 3.5 tons of tobacco, and equipment worth UAH 60 million were seized.
The results of the State Tax Service's tax audits are key evidence in cases of non-payment of taxes by airlines through leasing. Ignoring these conclusions without new evidence may indicate the groundlessness of criminal prosecution.
Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi stated that the airports "Lviv" and "Boryspil" are ready for operation and can resume flights within a few weeks after security issues are resolved. At the same time, Ukrainian airlines complain about pressure from the BEB, which threatens the existence of the civil aviation industry due to a new interpretation of leasing taxation.
BEB is investigating cases against 5 airlines over alleged non-payment of 15% royalties for aircraft leasing. Experts state that this interpretation contradicts legislation and international conventions.
The Bureau of Economic Security has opened criminal proceedings against five airlines regarding leasing operations, equating them to royalties. Lawyers consider this pressure on business, as the State Tax Service previously found no violations during audits.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko reported the return of UAH 1. 6 billion for the first half of 2026 in cases of tax evasion. Examples include compensation of UAH 33 million from an enterprise with defense contracts and UAH 98 million from a developer.
The Bureau of Economic Security is investigating cases against airlines, equating lease payments to royalties. Law enforcement officers ignore international conventions, existing court practice, as well as tax audits that found no violations.
Deputy Director of the STS Department Victoria Kasyan reported that only one audit of airlines revealed a reclassification of lease payments into royalties. The BES is investigating criminal cases against five air carriers for non-payment of 15% royalties.
Ukrainian airlines are forced to pay additional taxes for aircraft leasing over the past seven years due to a new interpretation of taxation. The Bureau of Economic Security has opened criminal proceedings against a number of carriers.
The parliament supported the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko along with the Cabinet of Ministers with 258 votes. The successor will temporarily be Denys Shmyhal.
The interpretation of aircraft leasing as royalties by the State Tax Service and the BEB contradicts the principles of applying international conventions on the avoidance of double taxation. International tax law expert Olena Kuznechikova emphasizes that the problem should be resolved by an official clarification from the Ministry of Finance, not by criminal prosecution of businesses.
Attempts to retroactively charge Ukrainian airlines 15% royalties for aircraft leasing could lead to the bankruptcy of most market players. The Aerospace Association of Ukraine calls on the state to ensure legal certainty on the issue.
Ukraine increased its defense budget to a record UAH 4. 4 trillion for 2026, having received the first tranche of EUR 3.9 billion from the EU for drones. At the same time, the Bureau of Economic Security is putting pressure on airlines, which paid UAH 702 million in taxes in 2025.
The Bureau of Economic Security is investigating criminal proceedings against five Ukrainian airlines over aircraft leasing. Experts warn that treating lease payments as royalties contradicts international law.
The Tax Committee of the Verkhovna Rada found statistical errors and manipulations in the BEB report for 2025. Deputies noted the low effectiveness of investigations, with only 13% of cases reaching court.
Ukraine's aviation industry paid a record UAH 702 million in taxes in 2025, despite the closed sky. Due to criminal cases by the Bureau of Economic Security (BEB) regarding aircraft leasing and a decline in profitability, businesses risk leaving Ukrainian jurisdiction.
Since the beginning of the day, 204 combat engagements have occurred at the front. The enemy carried out three missile strikes and dropped 213 guided air bombs.
The Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a resolution that launches a mechanism to restrict the access of military personnel to gambling during the period of martial law. The data will be verified through the Register of Military Personnel.
The aviation industry paid a record 702 million UAH in taxes despite a critical drop in profits. The ESBU is exerting pressure on companies over tax disputes regarding leasing.
In 2025, the aviation industry transferred over UAH 702 million to the budget, marking a record for the past eight years. Passenger carriers paid the largest share.
Ukraine and the IMF have reached a staff-level agreement on the first review of the EFF program. Following approval by the Executive Board, Kyiv will receive 690 million dollars.
The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU) attempted to pass off old budget revenues as achievements for 2025, reporting 3. 8 billion UAH instead of 47 million UAH. Consequently, it is necessary to conduct an internal investigation within the agency and hold those responsible accountable.
The ESBU has been accused of falsifying a report on the recovery of 3. 8 billion UAH in damages. Experts demand an investigation and the punishment of responsible officials.
The ESBU has been accused of inflating budget damage recovery figures for 2025 from 47 million to 3. 8 billion UAH. The leadership faces a potential criminal case for falsifying the report.
Danylo Hetmantsev stated that the ESBU manipulated figures in its 2025 report. Instead of 3.8 billion hryvnias, only 47 million were actually returned.
The Verkhovna Rada Committee approved an increase in defense spending by 1. 5 trillion UAH in 2026. The funds will be allocated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and weaponry, thanks to a 90 billion euro EU loan.
The lawyer explained that the audit of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU) criminal cases refers to a review of the legality of initiating criminal proceedings and the decisions made during investigations. This will help identify groundless proceedings and pressure on businesses.
Corruption scandals within the ESBU have brought to the fore the issue of auditing criminal proceedings that may be used as a tool for pressuring businesses. Experts believe that verifying the legality of such cases, particularly those regarding aircraft leasing, should be the first step toward a genuine reboot of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine.