Deputy Head of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, Olena Tamozhnya, received this position in the summer of 2025, although she had already come under the spotlight due to her unsuccessful certification. Prior to her appointment, she worked as a prosecutor in the Buchanan District Prosecutor's Office.
Back in 2020, Customs, who then held the position of prosecutor of the department for ensuring the activities of the head of the regional prosecutor's office of the Kyiv region, failed to pass the certification of prosecutors. The procedure, introduced by order of Prosecutor General Ruslan Ryaboshapka, provided for three stages of verification: testing for knowledge of the legislation, checking general abilities and skills, and an interview with an integrity assessment.
It was at the last stage - during the interview - that the prosecutor failed the check. According to journalists, one of the possible reasons could be the dubious sources of the Tamozhny family's property. The value of the real estate and assets significantly exceeded the family's official income, which raised questions about their integrity.
Despite this, after her dismissal, Customs managed to get her reinstated through the court. The court not only overturned the decision to suspend her, but also ordered the Prosecutor General's Office to pay her compensation for the period of forced absence.
Olena Tamozhnya currently holds one of the key positions in the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office. However, the story of her certification "fiasco" and judicial reinstatement raises the question: does the prosecutor's office's cleansing system really work if those who failed the integrity check are returned to high positions?
