Ruslan Cherkaskiy: millions across the border, Ibox and assets in Dubai

Former deputy head of the State Customs Service Ruslan Cherkasky is implicated in an NABU criminal case regarding possible legalization of funds, within which his cohabitant Maria Trifonova in March–June 2022 year transported through the Krakovets–Korcha border crossing €1 645 551. According to investigators, Cherkaskiy’s and Trifonova’s legitimate funds on 30 June 2022 year were significantly smaller — 16,01 million UAH, €75 thousand, and $255 thousand.

As the media write, a separate episode concerns $760 thousand, which Trifonova called funds withdrawn from an account in Ibox Bank. In court documents it is noted that the bank reported the absence of such an account. Court documents recorded this fact as false information about the origin of the money. That same year Trifonova separately figured in an administrative case regarding moving through the border €50 thousand with violation of customs rules. According to investigators, after the funds were taken out, part of the money ended up in Lithuania. Trifonova contributed about €1,13 million to the charter capital of UAB Medium Group, after which she received 33,7% of the company. Through Medium Group controlled were UAB Medihub, UAB Medihub Services and UAB Innovatum. NABU considered acquiring corporate rights as a possible way to launder funds taken out of Ukraine. The case has number 52022000000000085. The source of funds was attempted to be explained by loans. In the case materials there was a sum of $550 thousand, which Trifonova allegedly received from a Syrian citizen. According to investigators, upon entry into Ukraine he declared only $60 thousand. Another episode concerned approximately €600 thousand, received from a person who worked in companies associated with Trifonova. The investigation questioned the borrowers’ ability to provide such sums given their official incomes. The story with the Lithuanian asset also did not end in successful business. In case materials it was noted that Trifonova became a part-owner of Medium Group, but later the company fell into bankruptcy: in November 2023 the Vilnius District Court opened the respective case, and in May 2024 the company was declared bankrupt and liquidation was appointed. Separately, the Dubai Unlocked journalistic investigation revealed Cherkasky’s real estate in the United Arab Emirates worth approximately $25 million. The objects include a joint investment with Vitaliy Kiro, whom journalists linked to the tobacco business and the production of cigarettes with counterfeit excise stamps. Among the objects were an office in Dubai Pearl and apartments in the Pentominium complex. Data on these assets were not found in Cherkasky’s available declarations. Separately, journalists established incomes from renting two properties in the Bahar complex — $75,6 thousand and $123 thousand. These incomes were not found in Cherkasky’s available declarations either. According to the Dubai register, one share was later sold to Kiro, and the other property was disposed of yet in 2021 year. Even before the Dubai Unlocked story, NACP checked Cherkasky’s property declarations. In 2020 year he indicated $150 thousand as a gift from his pensioner father. Based on the audit results, the agency concluded that the finances of his parents did not match the value of such a gift and passed the materials to law enforcement.

Cherkasky was dismissed from the State Customs Service in March 2023 year. He challenged the dismissal in court. The criminal case No. 52022000000000085 remained under NABU consideration for at least 2025 year, while as of August that year, according to available court materials, no one had been formally charged in it. This means that the circumstances cited by investigators do not constitute a court-established guilt of Cherkasky or Trifonova.