The State Fiscal Service is investigating a possible failure by the Chornomorsk Fish Port to pay 12 million in VAT

The State Financial Inspection is investigating possible tax evasion by the Chornomorsk Fish Port. The investigation also involves examining the movement of 776 million through companies suspected of being shell companies and the possible diversion of funds from business operations.

The Khadzhibey District Court issuedthe corresponding ruling on October 7, 2026.

Detectives from the BEB’s Territorial Directorate in Odesa Oblast are investigating possible tax evasion by officials of Chornomorsk Fish Port LLC. The investigation concerns transactions in 2024–2025, when the company failed to include the cost of sublease services in its VAT tax liabilities.

According to law enforcement estimates, this could have resulted in the non-payment of 12.09 million hryvnias in value-added tax.

Investigators focused on a transfer of 268 million hryvnias from the fishing port to Zbruch Plus Invest LLC. The payment description indicated that this was an additional contribution to the company’s authorized capital. However, according to investigators, there was no actual increase in the authorized capital, which could indicate that funds were withdrawn from business operations and subsequently converted into cash.

In addition, law enforcement officials determined that between October 2023 and June 2024, this company’s accounts received over 508.29 million hryvnias from PrJSC “Rivneazot.” In the bank documents, the payments were listed as payment for a stake in the authorized capital.

According to the investigation, Zbruch Plus Invest LLC was registered at a mass registration address, did not declare any income, did not report any fixed assets, and had no employees.

A total of 776.29 million hryvnias was transferred to other companies, ostensibly for industrial goods. Among the recipients were the companies “Greta Center,” “Barkad Pro,” “Avalant,” “Belinda,” and the financial company “Simple Solutions.” Detectives believe these enterprises show signs of being shell companies.

According to investigators, such transactions may have been part of a scheme to siphon off funds and convert them into cash, as well as to evade taxes and launder proceeds obtained through criminal activity.

As part of the case, law enforcement officials are investigating the involvement of an individual associated with the company in the scheme. During a search on September 29, detectives seized an iPhone 12 Pro Gold. The phone was deemed material evidence. As a result, the judge granted the BEB’s motion and seized the phone.

As reported by Intent, in March 2025, the court seized the fishing port’s berths. According to the investigation, “Black Sea Fishing Port” LLC, in collusion with state registrars, illegally registered private ownership rights to the berths.

Анна Літман