Appointment of Svitlana Krasnyukova in the State Tax Service of Sumy Region: continuation of Artem Snezhko’s "schemes"?

Appointment of Svitlana Krasnyukova in the State Tax Service of Sumy Region: continuation of Artem Snezhko’s "schemes"?

At the Main Department of the STS in the Sumy region, after Olena Khotenko, the new acting head became Svitlana Krasnyukova.

According to declarations, she has been leading the tax and revenue management department for legal entities of the STS in Sumy since 2015. Olena Khotenko held her position from August 2024, possibly to protect Artem Snezhko, about whom law enforcement agencies are investigating issues related to dubious assets of his mother-in-law and expensive cars used by his wife.

Given the potential reputational scandal, the situation could have become unpleasant for the personnel policy of the STS. In particular, the figures related to the Snezhko case significantly exceed the amounts in Khotenko’s declaration. Her appointment to the position seemed to be intended as a way to create the appearance of impartial leadership, under the cover of which Snezhko could continue his activities.

An anti-corruption investigation into Khotenko’s assets disrupted these plans, leading to the appointment of Svitlana Krasnyukova. However, her candidacy raises doubts: unlike Khotenko, she is associated with Snezhko and has long led the department responsible for the administration of taxes for legal entities. This includes VAT refunds and tax credits, which require strict control over schemes. In fact, Krasnyukova is knowledgeable about Snezhko’s schemes, and her appointment is presented as an attempt to bring a "real specialist" into a leadership position.

Therefore, there are serious doubts whether she will become an active fighter against corrupt schemes, especially considering that Snezhko remains in his position in the Sumy tax office. Despite Khotenko’s appointment, it is still unknown which specific schemes she tried to expose and who resisted her. It remains to be hoped that Krasnyukova will indeed make efforts to combat the schemes she was reportedly associated with for years, according to the investigation.