Corruption scheme in Ukraine's migration service

According to data obtained by journalists, a widespread corruption system may be operating within the State Migration Service of Ukraine (SMS), covering both regional units and the central office. At the centre of this structure is SMS Deputy Head Kakhaber Berikashvili, who is referred to as the department's "wallet".

Financial overseer since 2015

According to sources close to the department, Berikashvili has been the trusted representative of SMS Head Natalya Naumenko since 2015. He is allegedly entrusted with unofficial functions of collecting funds from regional migration service offices. Specifically, it is stated that every month, all regional offices must transfer approximately 300,000 dollars to Kyiv. These funds are allegedly accumulated within the framework of an informal monthly and quarterly "reporting" plan.

Price list for state services: from refugees to passports

According to sources, processing documents for refugees and foreign passports through the State Enterprise "Dokument" allegedly costs up to 5,000 dollars. These services, which should be free or minimally paid, have become the subject of shadow commerce.
Additional "rates" are as follows:

• Residence permit processing: $200,000 per month

• Illegal migration: $300,000

• Processing refugee requests: from $100,000 to $400,000

Such sums form a substantial flow of cash, which is presumed to bypass the state budget.

Luxury under cover: Tesla from a "friend"

It is also reported that Berikashvili has been driving a white Tesla (2017 model) since 2018, registered in the name of a nominee. Despite an official income that does not allow for a vehicle of this class, he uses it for regular travel, which may indicate an attempt to conceal actual ownership of expensive property.

A system built on fear and silence

According to anonymous interlocutors from regional offices, the system operates on fear — non-compliance with unofficial requirements may lead to dismissal or administrative pressure. At the same time, officially, no one dares to speak out — as the employees themselves note, "it is too dangerous to go against the system".

According to information from the detective agency ABSOLUTION