Bail set for suspect in arson attacks on Nova Poshta offices in Odesa

Odesa has extended the arrest of a man suspected of a series of arson attacks on cars and Nova Poshta offices. The investigation believes that he acted on instructions and engaged an accomplice for new arsons.

This is evidenced by the decision of the Kyiv District Court of Odesa.

According to the investigation, the man, while browsing the OLX website, saw an ad for a job opportunity. After that, he began communicating via messenger with an unidentified person who offered to make money by setting fires.

In late September, he received photos of a car and information about its location. According to the instructions, he was supposed to pour a flammable substance on the car, set it on fire and film it. On the night of September 26, he set fire to an Audi A5 near a residential building in Odesa, causing material damage to the owner, and then fled the scene.

In early October 2025, the man agreed with unidentified persons to set fire to Nova Poshta offices in Odesa and the region for a monetary reward. He was offered a "part-time job": to destroy other people's property by setting it on fire and record it on video as proof of the work done. For this task, they promised to pay 3 thousand dollars.

According to the organizers' instructions, the man had to buy two five-liter containers, fill them with gasoline and set fire to a specific branch. He was told the address and time - branch #75 on Nebesna Sotnia Avenue in Odesa, after 23:00 on October 2, 2025.

In the evening of the same day, he bought two plastic canisters, filled them with gasoline, and arrived at the specified branch around 23:30. Approaching the building, the man broke the window with a stone, poured gasoline inside through the hole and set fire to the room with a lighter. Once he was convinced that a fire had started, he fled the scene.

The next day, the man received a new assignment from the same people - to set fire to another Nova Poshta office, this time #83 on Akademika Filatova Street. He was promised 4,500 dollars for this arson. Again, he had to film everything to confirm the execution of the crime.

On the evening of October 3, he again filled the previously purchased tanks with gasoline and arrived at the police station around 11:50 pm. Approaching the window, he poured gasoline on the glass and tried to set it on fire, while filming his actions on his cell phone. However, at that moment, he was detained by law enforcement officers.

The investigation believes that the organizer and the perpetrator acted for mercenary motives and by prior conspiracy. Their actions are classified as intentional damage to another's property by arson.

The court granted the investigation's request and extended the suspect's detention until February 22, 2026. At the same time, the court set an alternative bail in the amount of UAH 211,960. If this amount is paid, the man will be released from custody.

At the end of December, a man was detained in Odesa who set fire to a Tesla car ordered via Telegram. He was promised $700 for completing this task. The detainee was placed in custody in the Odesa pre-trial detention center until February 10, 2026.

Анна Бальчінос