In December 2025, the state inspector of the customs clearance department No. 2 of the "Nyzhankovychi" customs post of the Lviv Customs Service, together with other individuals, organized an illegal border crossing channel for men subject to military service. This is the "Nyzhankovychi-Malkhovychi" checkpoint, where, according to the investigation, a passport substitution scheme was operating.
The men reportedly used passports of elderly Ukrainian citizens who had legal grounds to cross the state border during martial law instead of their own documents. The suspects received a total of $16,000 for organizing such a “service.” The investigation is being conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation .
The details became known from the court registry. The names are not disclosed in the case materials, however, according to sources, it concerns customs officer Serhiy Pisko. Earlier, the media reported that he purchased a 2019 Audi e-tron for 50,000 hryvnias, which is significantly lower than the market value and raised questions about the reliability of the declaration.
The initiator of the criminal proceedings was an employee of the State Border Guard Service. This indicates that the scheme was uncovered not as a result of internal customs control, but thanks to interagency cooperation. In conditions of martial law and increased control over mobilization processes, such facts acquire special social importance.
According to sources, Pisco worked in the shift of Yuriy Tovt, who was previously mentioned in the context of property scandals. Although he is not officially listed in the case materials, questions arise about the level of internal control and awareness of the shift management.
The role of the internal security unit of Lviv Customs is particularly noteworthy. If a state inspector systematically forged documents at a regulated facility, receiving significant funds, this may indicate either serious gaps in control or its formal nature.
Using elderly passports to illegally cross the border requires coordination, access to documents, and assurance that there will be no immediate verification. In times of war, such actions are viewed not only as a corruption offense, but also as an undermining of the state's mobilization resources.
The investigation must establish the full range of individuals involved, the scale of the scheme, and the possible systematic nature of similar cases on other sections of the border.
