Odesa agro-trader forced to pay 14 million in unpaid taxes

An agro-trader from Odesa region who tried to illegally export soybeans has reimbursed more than UAH 14.5 million in unpaid taxes to the budget.

This was reported by the press service of the Bureau of Economic Security.

Using forged documents on the origin of agricultural products, the offenders tried to create the appearance of legal business operations and thus export 7.5 thousand tons of soybeans to Turkey and Romania.

The detectives established that the suspects tried to export products whose origin was not documented through supply chains with fictitious enterprises and individual entrepreneurs.

During the searches in the Odesa port and at grain terminals in Chernivtsi region, the BES detectives seized more than 6,000 tons of soybeans loaded on a ship and 1,600 tons of soybeans in 32 railroad cars. The total value of the seized products is over UAH 103 million.

The company voluntarily reimbursed the unpaid taxes. The funds have already been transferred to the budget. However, the BES continues to investigate the case of intentional tax evasion. If found guilty, the entrepreneur faces a fine of fifteen thousand to twenty-five thousand tax-free minimum incomes with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years and confiscation of property.

Earlier, in Odesa, the court extended the arrest of the deputy head of the Territorial Department of the BES in the region, who is suspected of collaborating with the Russian occupation administration in Luhansk region and assisting the aggressor state. On October 9, 2025, the official was served a notice of suspicion for aiding the aggressor state. The court extended the detention until February 2, 2026, without bail, given the risks of pressure on witnesses, escape or destruction of evidence.

Кирило Бойко