On March 23, a competition will take place for the position of head of Ukraine’s Customs Service, with acting head of the State Aviation Service, Daniil Menshikov, among the candidates. His potential appointment has sparked significant discussion due to his involvement in past financial scandals.
Three primary candidates are vying for the role: representatives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), members of the customs professional community, and Menshikov himself. His inclusion in this list has raised eyebrows online.
Popular blogger Igor Lachenko speculated on his Telegram channel that influential patrons may be lobbying for Menshikov’s candidacy for this prominent position.
According to Lachenko, Menshikov’s career as head of the Lviv Customs has been marred by public scandals. He has been linked to alleged schemes involving the illegal importation of vehicles, which led to his dismissal.
Concerns about Menshikov have also emerged from the findings of the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NACP). The agency reported instances of undeclared real estate, including four cottages near Kyiv with a total area exceeding 1,200 square meters, valued at approximately 14 million hryvnias.
Furthermore, analysts have noted that Menshikov’s partner reportedly saved 46 million hryvnias more than her official earnings would suggest. From 1998 to 2022, she officially earned over 42 million hryvnias, spent 25 million on real estate, and still managed to save 62.9 million hryvnias.
“And all this went unnoticed… Surreal,” commented Lachenko.
Journalist Vitaliy Hlahola reminded his followers on Telegram that in 2022, law enforcement conducted searches at Menshikov’s office. Criminal proceedings were initiated regarding abuse of power, document forgery, and other irregularities, implicating 11 officials.
“After the scandals, Menshikov not only remained in the public eye but also secured a new position. In September 2025, he was appointed acting head of the State Aviation Service, despite lacking relevant experience in aviation,” Hlahola noted.
He emphasized that the key players in this potential appointment are not Menshikov himself, but those behind him. These influential figures have reportedly suppressed scandals, facilitated his new role, and are now actively promoting him for the customs position.
“If this scenario unfolds, the customs service could be led by an individual with a clear history of corruption, criminal allegations, and dubious financial origins. This is particularly concerning amid the ongoing war, as the customs service is a crucial financial hub for the state,” Hlahola concluded.
Former member of parliament Boryslav Bereza also expressed skepticism regarding Menshikov’s suitability for the role on his Telegram channel. He highlighted that during Menshikov’s tenure in Lviv, law enforcement documented systematic violations.
Bereza pointed out instances where customs officials continued to apply tax exemptions for vehicle imports that had already expired. Additionally, there were reports of artificially lowering the customs value of vehicles, often in exchange for illicit benefits.
Such manipulations allowed importers to save thousands of dollars on each vehicle imported, resulting in significant losses for the state budget while the scheme’s organizers profited illicitly.
The State Bureau of Investigation has opened several criminal cases related to these facts, with suspicions raised against numerous customs officials.
Bereza cautioned that appointing Menshikov to the Customs Service could adversely affect the financial stability of the state, especially during wartime. “Some things are inherently of poor quality. Even if they are repainted, relocated, or ‘waited out,’ their essence does not change. They still have an impact on decisions, finances, and the country. The customs service is precisely where the stakes are measured in billions, and there are those who wish to achieve this,” he summarized.
The upcoming competition for the head of Ukraine's Customs Service has ignited controversy, particularly surrounding candidate Daniil Menshikov, whose past financial scandals raise concerns about his suitability for the role. Influential figures appear to be lobbying for his appointment, which could have significant implications for the country's financial integrity amid ongoing conflict.