"Heavy lux": owner of Lux Groups Oleksandr Litskevych set up smuggling of luxury watches via Kyiv-Warsaw trains

07 жовтня 2025 р., 14:08

Igor Shulga 501 0

"You’re on a heavy LUX." The Bureau of Economic Security (BES) and the Office of the Prosecutor General provided official statements this morning regarding the dismantling of an organized criminal group (OCG) of elite smugglers of luxury goods, who enlisted the help of employees of "Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ)" and regularly smuggled various "luxury life" accessories via Kyiv-Warsaw trains. They purchased the goods in Dubai, Hong Kong, and China, and then sold them in our regions.

In total, goods worth nearly 11 million were seized. This is what has been calculated (at least for now) as contraband. However, there is an opinion that the total amount is significantly higher.

After all, in addition to the "Rolexes" that are densely scattered across the law enforcement photo reports, the case details mention seized and arrested necklaces, pendants, rings, bracelets, crosses, earrings, and tourbillons from brands close to the hearts of our elite, such as VanCleef, Chimento, Harry Winston, Tiffany&Co, Leo Pizzo, Chopard, Hermes, de Grisogono, Staurino Fratelli, Bvlgari, Roberto Coin, Damiani D.Side, Staurino Fratelli, Cartier, Rolex, Hublot, Audemars Piguet, Zenith, Frank Muller, Bovet, Breguet, Breitling, and others.

What did they modestly keep silent about on Riznytska Street and in the reports of comrade Tsyvinskyi?

Probably, it’s worth starting with who is considered the organizer of this business — a well-known figure in certain circles, Oleksandr Litskevych, the owner of LuxGroups. I don’t know if it’s intentional or not, but an "Easter egg" referencing his persona can be found in the photo releases of law enforcement or on the main page of "Lux" — specifically, the "Rolexes"...

And the second, more significant point. The case under which Litskevych and Co. were "processed" is not a "fresh" one. We can also see this in the photos of official releases, where investigative actions are conducted "in warm weather." And... near a certain watercraft. To be honest, I had heard whispers earlier this year about some commotion during an attempted search on a yacht, but it somehow passed by unnoticed at the time.

As it turns out, that was a mistake because... Around 7 a.m. on June 14, 2025, two BES detectives and an SSU operative (judging by the photos, there were also other "shoulder straps," but this trio is what matters to us) arrived at 58 Lyutneva Street in Kyiv, where they decided to search the vessel Abacus Marine.

Here, the brave law enforcers encountered Litskevych and two of his associates, who, after an exchange of opinions (let’s call it that politely), roughed up (I don’t know how else to delicately phrase it) two BES officers and the "Chekist." For such antics, the owner of LuxGroups received a suspicion notice back in the summer under Part 2 of Article 345 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (the court refused to detain him, placing him under house arrest instead).

By autumn, Litskevych was "added" to the main case under Part 3 of Article 203-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Now, if he doesn’t come up with 9 million for bail, he risks ending up in Lukyanivska pre-trial detention center. As they say, such are the times, such is the "Lux" OCG...

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