Reports have emerged regarding the potential appointment of Yevhen Kukos to a leadership position within Kyiv’s Criminal Investigation Department. Kukos has previously been the subject of multiple journalistic investigations that have highlighted allegations of corruption and illicit enrichment.
Economic expert Boris Kushniruk disclosed this information on his social media account, citing sources that suggest Kukos’s candidacy is under serious scrutiny.
Kukos’s past has drawn attention due to his involvement in high-profile cases, including a significant theft of valuables worth between 13 and 17 million UAH from the residence of Metropolitan Oleksandr Drabynko. Investigators allege that Kukos used his official position to assist the perpetrators in evading justice.
Furthermore, Kukos was reportedly involved in the controversial release of Andriy Nikitin, a leader of a criminal gang responsible for a series of armed robberies targeting jewelry stores between 2016 and 2018, resulting in losses exceeding $5 million. Despite his role in the operation to apprehend Nikitin, Kukos allegedly allowed him to escape, subsequently acquiring real estate that appeared inconsistent with his official income.
Investigations by various media outlets have noted that Kukos amassed substantial property holdings, including undeclared assets in Obukhiv. Following the introduction of electronic registries, he began transferring ownership of these assets to family members, with his brother reportedly owning two apartments and three non-residential properties.
Given the extensive documentation of Kukos’s questionable activities, the prospect of his promotion to a senior role in the Criminal Investigation Department raises significant concerns, according to Kushniruk. He argues that with such a troubling record, Kukos should be viewed as a suspect rather than a candidate for advancement. Kushniruk urges the leadership of the National Police’s Main Directorate in Kyiv to reconsider this potential appointment.
The potential appointment of Yevhen Kukos to a senior role in Kyiv's Criminal Investigation Department has sparked controversy due to his history of alleged corruption. Expert Boris Kushniruk emphasizes the need for scrutiny given Kukos's involvement in high-profile criminal cases and significant property acquisitions inconsistent with his income.