Jan. 18, 2026, 6:56 p.m.
(PHOTO COLLAGE: Intent)
The Kyiv District Court found an Odesa resident who worked as a director of the Zimen Crew Management Limited Liability Company and an associate professor of the Department of Ship Navigation and Navigational Arms at the Institute of Naval Forces at the Odesa Maritime Academy guilty of extortion.
According to the USI media outlet, the man was selling international licenses to operate a pleasure craft.
He was fined 51 thousand hryvnias. In May 2025, the associate professor organized a criminal scheme aimed at obtaining a bribe for himself for influencing the decision-making of officials of the Black Sea Interregional Directorate of the State Service of Maritime and Inland Water Transport and Shipping of Ukraine for unimpeded theoretical and practical training in educational and training institutions, passing exams and issuing an unlimited international certificate for the right to operate a pleasure craft.
It was established that the man, on the advice of his seafarers, turned to the accused for an explanation of the procedure for obtaining an international certificate for the right to operate a pleasure craft. Then the convict said that he could help in obtaining this certificate for money in the amount of $ 700 and offered the man to meet in person.
However, the man, realizing the unlawfulness of the defendant's demands, filed a statement with law enforcement officers about the crime and continued to act under their control. However, he handed over the money and received the ID. In addition, the convict wanted to enrich himself at the expense of another man, from whom he requested $500.
In court, he sincerely repented and pleaded guilty. The court also took into account his disability, official employment, positive characteristics, two children whose education he pays for, and sentenced him to pay UAH 51,000 fine and UAH 28,800 for the examinations.
Кирило Бойко