Administrator of a channel about shopping malls in Mykolaiv pleads guilty

In Mykolaiv, the court extended the detention of a man suspected of administering a Telegram community where the workplaces of representatives of the TCC and mobilization groups were published. According to the investigation, the channel had more than 34 thousand members.

This is evidenced by the decision of the Central District Court of Mykolaiv.

According to the case file, the Telegram channel was created by unidentified persons to quickly disseminate information about the movement of military personnel and the delivery of summonses in different districts of Mykolaiv. Later, the suspect joined the administration of the community, who, according to the investigation, moderated the chat, deleted messages, blocked users, and published rules for participants.

Court documents state that the community united at least 34,000 members. The chat regularly posted messages about the locations of mobilization groups, routes of TCC vehicles, and photos and videos from specific locations in the city.

Investigators claim that an administrator under a pseudonym distributed messages calling to avoid representatives of the TCC and warned participants about "dangerous" areas. The group also had special rules for the prompt exchange of information about mobilization activities.

Law enforcement officials believe that the community's activities actually interfered with the work of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and mobilization under martial law. The case file states that it could have helped those liable for military service avoid registration and conscription.

The man was served a notice of suspicion under articles on aiding and abetting the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine committed by a group of persons. The sanction of the article provides for up to eight years in prison.

During the court hearing, the suspect pleaded guilty, and his defense requested that bail be set. At the same time, the court concluded that the risks of absconding, influencing witnesses and continuing illegal activities remained relevant.

The court also took into account that the pre-trial investigation is still ongoing - law enforcement officers are awaiting the results of a computer-technical examination of the mobile phone, interrogating witnesses and collecting additional evidence.

As a result, the court extended the suspect's detention in custody until June 12, 2026, without the right to be released on bail.

Another administrator of a closed Telegram community to coordinate mobilization evasion was exposed by the SBU in April. One of the key episodes was the publication of the so-called "resistance manual". The document, which was distributed among the participants, contained detailed instructions on how to counteract the TCC employees.

Анна Бальчінос