Cigarette Mafia in Ukraine is "covered by our law enforcement". G7 sent Ukraine an angry letter about illegal tobacco production – Zheleznyak

The Group of Seven countries sent Ukraine an angry letter with an attachment detailing the specific locations of factories where illegal tobacco products are produced.

This was told to journalists by MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak.

"There was a letter from the G7 about illegal tobacco production. I see it for the first time; I talk a lot with embassies too — when they sent a very angry letter, and then an attachment showing exactly where all these illegal productions are located, with addresses. Directly, with photos, like: 'Guys, here it is.' As a result, they all closed down very conspicuously, and after a couple of months they all restarted production again," he noted.

Zheleznyak clarified that producers of illegal cigarettes and smugglers are "covered by our law enforcement".

He also reminded that during the presidency of fugitive Viktor Yanukovych, the share of the illegal tobacco market amounted to 1%, "because these guys owned tobacco factories, so they themselves suppressed all illegals".

"During Poroshenko's presidency it was up to 5%. Under Zelensky, especially during the war, it is 20-22%. These are money stolen from the army," said Yaroslav Zheleznyak.

As a reminder, in seven months of 2026 year, law enforcement seized more than 1 million packs of illegal cigarettes. In April 2026 year, the share of illegal tobacco products in Ukraine rose to 19,8% of the total market, approaching every fifth sold pack of cigarettes.

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