Orlov Volodymyr Volodymyrovych

Old-guard customs officer and crisis top manager of the RSA: from Donetsk borders to leadership of Dnipropetrovsk region

Volodymyr Volodymyrovych Orlov was born in 1980 in Donetsk, where he obtained legal and economic education. For over 15 years, he built a career in customs authorities, heading the Sumy and Luhansk Customs, and later the Department of Risk Analysis and Offense Prevention of the central apparatus of the State Fiscal Service. In January 2021, he was appointed First Deputy Head of the Dnipropetrovsk RSA under Valentyn Reznichenko’s leadership. After the dismissal of the chief in early 2023, Orlov temporarily performed the duties of the head of the frontline region during the hardest period of shelling. He held the position of First Deputy at the RSA for more than three years, ensuring the region’s defense capability and viability during the full-scale war, and resigned by mutual agreement in July 2024.

Specialist of NABU on $200,000 for forest, seized Swiss watches and acquittal verdict of the High Anti-Corruption Court

The loudest scandal around the former official erupted in autumn 2024, when NABU and SAP accused him of extorting improper benefit. According to the investigation, Orlov demanded a $200,000 bribe from representatives of a private company to assist in long-term allocation of 19 hectares of state forest for recreational business in Novomoskovsk district. During searches, elite Swiss Bovet watches and significant amounts of cash were seized from him. Prosecutors secured record bail of 22 million hryvnias and referred the case to court. However, in February 2026, a panel of judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) fully acquitted Orlov, ruling that his guilt was not proven beyond reasonable doubt, and the key prosecution witness was himself imprisoned. The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) categorically disagreed and filed an appeal, so legal battles around the ex-official continue. Additionally, media criticized his declaration due to 14.5 million hryvnias of declared cash and financial support from his wife’s business, seeing signs of legalization of shadow funds.