The BES is already identifying risks before criminal proceedings are initiated

On 18 August, the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine (BES) released the performance results of its Territorial Department in the Poltava region for the first half of 2026.

For businesses, the key point is not so much the statistics of criminal proceedings, but rather how the BES is now identifying potential violations.

Over six months, BES analysts prepared 47 analytical reports concerning risks of possible criminal offences in the budgetary, tax, and monetary and credit sectors.

The total value of transactions in which the BES identified such risks exceeded UAH 2 billion.

This is an important signal.

Some of these analytical materials have already served as grounds for initiating criminal proceedings. In other words, a business may now come to the attention of the BES even before a search, questioning, or notice of suspicion.

Separately, BES analysts identified risks exceeding UAH 483 million in public procurement and issued 10 recommendations to state authorities.

Overall, during the first half of the year, detectives of this territorial department conducted pre-trial investigations in 292 criminal proceedings, issued notices of suspicion to 53 individuals, and referred 34 cases to court.

For businesses, this means a change in approach.

The BES does not necessarily wait until a violation has been established within criminal proceedings. Its analysts examine transactions, tax information, procurement activities, and financial links in an effort to identify risks in advance.

That is why it makes sense to conduct a business criminal-law audit before law-enforcement authorities take an interest in the company.

This is particularly relevant for businesses with substantial turnover, complex tax structures, public procurement activities, budget funds, and significant transactions with counterparties.

The purpose of such an audit is straightforward: to assess the business through the eyes of a BES analyst before the BES itself does so.

Primary source: Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine, 18 August 2026.

WINNER Law Firm conducts criminal-law and tax audits for businesses, assesses risks related to economic crimes, and provides legal defence for companies and officers in criminal proceedings.

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Author: Ihor Yasko, Managing Partner of WINNER Law Firm, PhD in Law.