A Mykolaiv resident is suspected of selling humanitarian aid vehicles

In Mykolaiv, law enforcement officials caught a 39-year-old local resident who had set up a scheme to sell cars imported into Ukraine as humanitarian aid. The man was detained during a routine transaction.

This was reported by the Mykolaiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.

The suspect has been charged with selling humanitarian aid goods for profit on a large scale during martial law. The court ordered him to be held in pretrial detention with bail set at 266,240 hryvnias. The suspect faces 5 to 7 years in prison with confiscation of property.

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According to the investigation, the man imported cars from abroad as humanitarian aid. He then sold them. To find customers, he posted ads on one of the popular online platforms.

According to law enforcement, between July and September 2026, the suspect sold five cars for a total of 15,500 U.S. dollars. The vehicles were a BMW 525, a Hyundai Getz, an Audi Q7, a Ford Focus, and an Opel Astra, most of which were registered abroad.

On September 30, 2026, after handing over the vehicles, documents, and keys, the man was detained. 

By law, vehicles imported as humanitarian aid with exemption from customs duties are intended exclusively for free transfer to the military or other specified categories. They may not be sold or used for commercial purposes.

Юлія Калабайда