Yulia Kran, who has been the acting head of the State Migration Service in Chernihiv region for over nine months, has found herself at the center of a high-profile corruption scandal. According to the international detective agency Absolution, the official set up corruption schemes not only in Chernihiv but also in Kyiv, enlisting the support of influential connections.
One of Kran's patrons, according to the bureau, is Dmitry Petrov, a former deputy head of the capital's State Medical Service, who currently holds the position of deputy head of a department in the Prosecutor General's Office. It is through him that Kran probably maintains influence and avoids personnel decisions regarding its activities.
In support of the exposed schemes, Absolution published screenshots of internal correspondence on the issue of confirming citizenship through Crimea. One of the services - issuing confirmation of citizenship - is estimated at $500. The documents even include the name of former Minister Yevhen Chervonenko.
In addition, Kran has influence over military commissariats – Chernihiv, Desnyan, as well as the regional CCK. Through SBU employees who “supply clients”, a mobilization evasion scheme is implemented:
-
$20,000 – for fictitious accounting documents;
-
The money is transferred through roommate Crane, a law enforcement officer who oversees the operation.
Another popular scheme is to leave for permanent residence abroad retroactively. For $8,000, a citizen writes an application for permanent residence in the Kran office, dated 2019 or 2020. While the documents are not yet digitized, through persons controlled by Kran, the person is quickly removed from all records (TCK, SFS, ASNAP, CEC) and receives a legal permit to leave.
Yulia Kran has been serving as the head of the department since June 2024, having actually appointed herself by order No. 47. Despite the requirements of the law, she:
-
did not pass the service evaluation;
-
did not receive an assessment from the management of the State Health Service;
-
remains in the status of acting director beyond the maximum permissible term.
Interestingly, she got the position of deputy chief thanks to the influence of former Kyiv City Council deputy Bohdan Kolodiy from Batkivshchyna, with whom, according to rumors, she has not only business but also personal relations.
Despite numerous violations, scandals, and revelations, the leadership of the State Migration Service of Ukraine is not taking any action against Kran. The support from high-ranking officials and the silence of the Ministry of Internal Affairs create the impression that its activities are only the tip of the iceberg.
