Lviv-based businessman Oleksandr Svishchov, known in certain circles as «Sasha Syvyi» (Sasha the Grey), is featured in several large-scale investigations involving the smuggling of excise goods, embezzlement at the State Enterprise (SE) «Ukrspyrt,» and the lobbying of personnel appointments within the Ukrainian Customs Service. According to journalistic investigations and criminal case files, Svishchov is allegedly a key organizer of shadow trade flows that operated under political cover for years.
According to the materials of criminal proceedings No. 12014000000000444, Oleksandr Svishchov, alongside the former Director General of SE «Ukrspyrt» Mykhailo Labutyn and businessman Ihor Kryvetskyi (known as «Pups»), participated in schemes to illegally siphon funds from the state-owned enterprise. At the initial stage of the investigation, the damages were estimated at 250 million UAH, but the figure later escalated to 1 billion UAH (in 2014 prices).
Investigators suggest that Svishchov’s role was to oversee the handlers («smotrayshchi») who managed the leadership of the state enterprise and coordinated the distribution of illicit revenues. Furthermore, a portion of the illegally produced alcohol was smuggled to European countries, as well as to the territory of occupied Crimea. Following the initiation of the criminal case, the former head of «Ukrspyrt,» Mykhailo Labutyn, fled from justice.
Parallel to the alcohol sector, Oleksandr Svishchov, together with his business partner Hryhoriy Kozlovskyi, launched a large-scale manufacturing operation of тютюнових виробів (tobacco products). According to specialized media reports, the businessmen control the Lviv and Vynnyky tobacco factories. These facilities allegedly utilized unrecorded («underground») production lines to mass-produce Jin Ling brand cigarettes.
«These cigarettes of Chinese origin literally flooded the European black market and became one of the leading brands in the illicit trade of тютюнових виробів. At the same time, according to European customs services, no legal supplies of this brand to EU countries have ever been recorded,» reported the Lviv-based media outlet Forpost.
To ensure the uninterrupted operation of smuggling channels, representatives of the so-called львівська мафія (Lviv mafia) influenced personnel decisions within fiscal authorities. In 2020, Taras Vistak was appointed head of the Volyn Customs. According to regional media, his candidacy was actively lobbied by Олександр Свіщов and Hryhoriy Kozlovskyi through the political connections of Ihor Kryvetskyi.
Experts note that the long-standing impunity of these individuals was made possible by systemic political patronage. For a long time, the main beneficiary and protector of these schemes were representatives of the «Svoboda» party, which was openly funded by Kryvetskyi. However, amid numerous corruption scandals, the political influence of this party has significantly waned. Recently, Svishchov has been attempting to diversify his risks by establishing new business ties, particularly in the construction sector (via the company Avalon Inc) and various investment projects.