An illegal night taxi market operates in the Ukrainian capital, with drivers holding special permits to travel during curfew hours, even though they do not fall into the categories defined by law. According to an investigation by Bihus.Info, such trips cost passengers almost ten times more than during the day for the same distance.
The journalist used the services of such a taxi twice: one driver identified himself as a former military man with an appropriate pass, the other admitted that he had obtained a special permit illegally. According to him, in Kyiv, drivers are given "passwords" from the administrator, which allow them to avoid being stopped by the police at night.
Bihus.Info also contacted a person who offered to issue a "journalistic" pass for $500 per year.
Since the beginning of the war, over 18,000 special permits for night travel have been issued in Kyiv, which are supposed to be issued by the KMVA, KOVA, the 12th Army Corps, and the Kyiv Oblast Commandant's Office. Until March 2025, the majority of passes were issued by officials of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA).
According to journalists, former First Deputy Mayor Mykola Povoroznyk issued over 10,000 passes, of which 1,150 were issued in the 24 days of January. Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration Petro Panteleyev issued almost 3,000, and Head of the Kyiv City State Administration Dmytro Zagumenny issued over 2,000 passes.
Although investigators have no evidence of illegality in the issuance of passes by these officials, the system records all permits, so management can verify their legal use.
Head of the KMVA Timur Tkachenko confirmed that the problem with illegal passes exists and that previously the issuance of passes was uncontrolled. According to him, an audit of issued permits is now underway, and a digital accounting system is being implemented to replace paper passes.
In addition, the KMVA is negotiating with taxi services to legalize night transportation exclusively for social needs. There are no results yet, but the work is ongoing.
