Businessman sent to custody in Odesa for extortion from conscripts

In Odesa, a court has imposed a pre-trial restraint on a man suspected of extorting money from conscripts. He demanded the money to influence government officials and process documents to defer mobilization.

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

According to the investigation, the suspect acted together with an accomplice. They offered citizens employment at critical enterprises in the Odesa region for money, so that they would draw up reservation documents that would give grounds for a deferral from military service. At the same time, to influence the employees of the TCC and JV. As stated in the decision, the suspect works at the private enterprise Disk-Pivden.

On November 7, 2025, the suspect and his accomplice met one of the citizens of military age at a gas station on Balkivska Street in Odesa.

He demanded 2,500 USD. The money was supposed to secure employment at a critical enterprise and further influence the employees of the TCC and JV to draw up reservation documents that would allow them to defer mobilization.

On January 12, 2026, the suspect repeated the demand, this time asking for $3,000. He received part of the money - $500 - personally, and his accomplice received the rest. On January 28, they again demanded $3,000 via WhatsApp.

The man reported this to law enforcement and continued to act under their control. On January 29, the suspects met with him on the territory of the Green Market in Odesa and received USD 2,500. The suspect received part of the amount - $500 - and his accomplice received the rest. In total, they illegally received over UAH 128 thousand.

The court partially granted the investigators' motion and ordered to keep the suspect in custody until March 24, 2026. At the same time, the court set a bail of UAH 116,480. If the amount is paid, the suspect will be released from custody and assigned duties for the period of the preventive measure.

Also in Odesa, a corruption scheme involving forged medical certificates was exposed. The director of a private medical clinic is under suspicion. The court decided to grant the investigator's motion and seize the suspect's property, including her apartment.

Анна Бальчінос