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$600 thousand per day at “Rava-Ruska”: The Supreme Court has finally denied customs officer Kobrin reinstatement
In October 15 2026 the Supreme Court finally denied former head of customs clearance at “Rava-Ruska” Orest Kobrin reinstatement to service. The official, whom journalists linked to an alleged extortion scheme at the Lviv customs with turnover up to $2 million daily, contested his dismissal from 3 October 2023 and demanded wages for forced absence. Three judicial instances sided with the customs service, reports “Seredych.”
Orest Ihorovych Kobrin served in the customs authorities since 2005, heading clearance department No. 3 of the “Rava-Ruska” post, which is confirmed by personnel records of the SFS and declarations. In September 14 2022 he was transferred to the position of chief inspector under contract No. 328/2022. In October 3 2023, in the office of acting head of Lviv customs Andriy Kuznyk, he wrote a resignation by mutual agreement, then tried to withdraw it, claiming psychological pressure.
The Lviv District Administrative Court on April 9 2025 and the Eighth Administrative Court of Appeal on August 6 denied Kobrin. The courts found the statement voluntary, and the arguments about pressure insufficiently substantiated. In October 15 2026 the Supreme Court in case No. 380/25610/23, proceedings No. K/990/34733/25, ruling No. 140636568 rejected the cassation, leaving Order No. 1114-o in force. Judges — Oleksandr Zahorodniuk, Larysa Yeresko and Volodymyr Sokolov.
In November 2019 journalist Yevhen Plynskyi described alleged extortion at the “Krakovets”, “Rava-Ruska” and “Shehyni” posts. According to his investigation, the shadow turnover reached $2 million daily: $1 million — “Krakovets”, $600 thousand — “Rava-Ruska”, $400 thousand — “Shehyni”. Rates — $30 thousand per truck and $10 thousand per minibus. Expensive electronics and clothing were allegedly declared as bricks, chalk and cheap building materials. By the journalist’s estimate, every second truck and every fourth minibus went through this way.
Plynskyi called Kobrin “Orest Korbin” and included him among the senior shifts at “Rava-Ruska” together with Iryna Novosad, Alla Hanushchak and Olesya Zabrovarna. The alleged supervisor of the post was Volodymyr Polusytok; the organizers and beneficiaries of the described scheme, according to Plynskyi, were businessman and Svoboda sponsor Ihor Kryvetskyi, Vasyl Pysnyy and Ivan Bokalo. These details relate to the journalistic investigation of 2019; the Supreme Court examined an employment dispute.
In Kobrin’s declaration for 2023, filed on 26 March 2024, 980 thousand UAH in family cash is listed: 650 thousand UAH with the official and 330 thousand with his wife Vira. Annual salaries — 276 007 and 251 332 UAH respectively; a pension, rent and material assistance are also declared. The family owns land plots and a house of 232 m². Kobrin used a Toyota Camry 2013 year of Ihor Kobrin and a Suzuki SX4 2015 year of Maria Kobrin, owned a VAZ-2101 and a Voskhod motorcycle.
Corruption episodes at “Rava-Ruska” are confirmed by separate criminal cases. In July 2024 the Zholkivsky district court sentenced inspector Iryna Tsaban to six years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property. In January 2023 she received 6000 and 2000 UAH for letting used tires pass through the green corridor, registering an Opel Vivaro as cargo-free. Marked money was passed in a foreign passport. The court stripped her of her special rank and banned her from holding certain positions for three years.
On April 17 2025 two more inspectors of “Rava-Ruska” were informed of suspicion of taking bribes for processing imported cars. According to the Lviv regional prosecutor’s office, the investigation documented 56 thousand UAH of illicit benefit, both were suspended. The suspicion concerns receiving bribes by prior conspiracy of a group of persons — the penalty provides for up to 10 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Incredible, but true...
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