Cherkasskyi Ruslan Anatoliyovych

Deputy Head of the State Customs Service 2021–2023

Ruslan Cherkasskyi is a customs officer with 30 years of experience, who rose from a junior inspector to one of the most influential officials in the system. From 2021 to 2023, he served as the Deputy Head of the State Customs Service during a period when smuggling scandals at customs became widespread. In 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers dismissed the leadership of the agency amid criticism and efforts to combat smuggling — it was at that time that criminal proceedings were opened against Cherkasskyi for illegal enrichment and money laundering.

Dubai Unlocked: Apartments in Bahar and Tens of Millions in Investments

The "Schemes" investigation as part of the international project Dubai Unlocked revealed that Cherkasskyi or persons associated with him owned real estate in Dubai — including apartments in the Bahar residential complex. Additionally, investments were recorded in large construction projects Pentominium and Dubai Pearl. The total value of assets linked to the former customs officer's family in the UAE is estimated by journalists at over 25 million USD.

1.6 Million Euros of the Wife — Subject of Investigation

Court documents also mention Cherkasskyi's common-law wife Maria Tryfonova, who transferred more than 1.6 million euros abroad, the origin of which has been the subject of law enforcement investigations. Meanwhile, the media repeatedly referenced the former deputy in the context of tobacco smuggling and "grey" customs schemes. Cherkasskyi denies all accusations.