Category: News

At a time when the interaction between business and the state in Ukraine often occurs within a zone of tension, the YouTube project RiyakoTalks creates a space for honest and professional dialogue. This is an original channel founded by Yevgen Riako, CEO of the law firm Riyako & Partners.

Each guest on the project brings their unique expertise — whether as a civil servant, a representative of a business association or a specific corporation, a solicitor, or another specialised expert. They share their vision of how to build effective cooperation between the state and entrepreneurs.

“We ask the questions that usually remain ‘off-camera’: how this system works in practice, what business truly wants from the state, and how to foster a culture of conscious interaction where each party takes responsibility for its own actions,” says Yevgen Riako.

On the channel, you will find candid discussions with individuals who genuinely influence the rules of the game for business, explanations of complex economic and legal topics in plain language, and practical advice from business defence solicitors.

On 26 November 2025, an online seminar was held at the European Business Association (EBA) on the topic: “Tax Risks 2025/26: How the Risk-Based Approach Works and What it Means for Business.”

The event brought together business security specialists, CFOs, solicitors, and company executives seeking to understand the new tools and methodologies employed by tax authorities. The central focus was the risk-based approach — an oversight model where, instead of blanket audits, attention is concentrated on companies with high-risk indicators. This entails automated data monitoring, an increased volume of inquiries and desk audits, as well as heightened scrutiny of specific sectors.

The session was led by Andrii Timonov, Head of Tax Practice at Riyako & Partners, who brings over 15 years of experience, including an extensive background within tax authorities. Andrii shared practical recommendations, case studies, and strategies to enable businesses to act proactively under these new monitoring conditions.

During the seminar, participants explored:

• How tax authorities identify high-risk companies and the “red flags” they prioritise;
• Current practices in applying the risk-based approach in 2025;
• Key threats to business — from the blocking of tax invoices to desk and field audits;
• Practical steps to mitigate tax risks and strengthen corporate security.

The Riyako & Partners team assists in adapting to changes in the regulatory environment and protects business professionals from state pressure.

On 29 November, Riyako & Partners solicitor Kateryna Anishchenko addressed the SUPERWOMAN NEXT LEVEL forum, discussing how female leaders can navigate pressure and risk within the business world.

Kateryna spoke about the dual reality in which the modern leader exists — balanced between ambition and inspiration, and the constant pressure of responsibility, expectations, criticism, and high-stakes decision-making. She emphasised: “Pressure is not a punishment. It is a recognition of strength,” sharing her own experience of working under high-intensity conditions, managing weekly multitasking, and providing rapid responses to clients’ crisis situations.

Key Takeaways from the Presentation:

• Pressure arises where there is influence and responsibility;
• Primary business risks emerge from trust without verification, overextension, and a lack of systems;
• Women often take everything upon themselves, which increases the likelihood of errors;
• When interacting with law enforcement, composure and a clear algorithm of action are the best forms of defence.

Sensitive yet vital topics, such as divorce, asset division, and the legal protection of women in business, were a specific focus of her address.

“A woman who knows her rights is unbreakable. Being protected should be the norm, not a luxury,” she concluded.

The Riyako & Partners team continues to share expertise at business events and support business professionals during times of high risk and constant change.

The legal team at Riyako & Partners has once again been named among the Top 50 leading law firms in Ukraine, according to the annual research conducted by the Yurydychna Praktyka (Legal Practice) newspaper. This year, the firm not only maintained its prestigious status but also climbed several positions in the overall rankings.

“For us, this is a vital indicator of stability and growth within a highly competitive market. We deliberately chose narrow specialisation as our growth strategy—and we can see that this focus allows us to become truly among the best in this field, providing clients with support where it is needed most,” says Yevgen Riako, CEO of the firm.

Recognition of Expertise

In the sector-specific rankings, the Riyako & Partners team entered the Top 10 law firms in Ukraine for Criminal Law. Additionally, Yevgen Riako was personally recognised as one of the Top 10 lawyers in the country within this practice area.

About the Research

The “Top 50 Leading Law Firms in Ukraine” ranking covers the entire legal services market. It is based on a combination of professional community voting, analysis of open-source data, and information submitted by the research participants.

On 10 December, Riyako & Partners’ tax solicitor conducted a practical webinar for security professionals and SB Club members on a subject every company faces: supply chain risks and third-party vendor due diligence.

Modern businesses rarely operate in isolation; suppliers, contractors, logistics providers, and distributors form a complex ecosystem of partners. It is within this network that issues frequently arise requiring the attention of security services, in-house counsel, and compliance officers.

During the webinar, participants discussed why simply having a contract and a standard set of documents is no longer sufficient. They explored what counterparty verification looks like in real-world practice, specifically:

• How tax, legal, and financial risks are concealed within supply chains;
• Key factors to consider when selecting suppliers and contractors;
• “Red flags” that may signal potential issues before a partnership begins;
• How to document verification results to ensure they strengthen internal compliance and satisfy tax authorities;
• Strategies for successfully navigating tax audits.

The session was led by Andrii Timonov, a tax dispute solicitor and Head of Tax Practice at Riyako & Partners. With over 17 years of experience, including a background in tax authorities, he shared practical case studies and explained how businesses can establish a systematic approach to third-party vendor due diligence.

Are you interested in a similar webinar for your community or company? Please contact us.

At the close of the year, the Riyako & Partners team received further significant professional recognition: our solicitors emerged as winners of the “Lawyer of the Year 2025,” an all-Ukrainian independent public competition organised by the Ukrainian Advocates’ Association (UAA).

The competition honours solicitors whose work throughout the year has been most notable within the market, both in terms of case complexity and their contribution to the development of the profession.

Our Victories:

• Yevgen Riako – White-Collar Crime category.
• Oleksandr Shevtsov – Criminal Law category, as well as an award for active participation in UAA events and activities.
• Kateryna Anishchenko – Military Law category.

We view these awards as an indicator that our work resonates with the professional community and that our approach to client defence meets the high standards of modern advocacy. We thank our colleagues for their support and trust.

About the UAA “Lawyer of the Year” Competition This is an independent all-Ukrainian project by the Ukrainian Advocates’ Association, featuring an annual open vote among the professional community. Accolades are awarded to those solicitors whose work has gained the support of colleagues across the country.