Chief of Staff of Odesa unit fined for extortion of bribes

The Kyiv District Court of Odesa found the chief of staff, deputy commander of a military unit, guilty of taking a bribe to influence a decision by an official and fined him UAH 61,880.

This was reported by the Center for Public Investigations with reference to the court verdict.

According to the investigation, in August 2025, a man who wanted to return to service to avoid criminal liability for WMD approached an acquaintance of one of the defendants.

Through an intermediary, he contacted an official who promised to resolve the issue with the command. For this, he demanded a USD 1,500 bribe.

The official explained that he could influence the unit's leadership to complete the documents, enroll the serviceman and send him to the military medical commission.

In fact, as the investigation found, the paperwork was carried out according to the current procedure, but the suspect gave the impression that it was impossible without his help.

The meeting and transfer of money took place on August 22, 2025, in Odesa on Shevchenko Avenue, near a military unit, after the necessary order for enrollment had already been signed.

For conspiracy purposes, the officer took the intermediary to an underpass near a tobacco kiosk, where he received the currency. In court, the defendant fully admitted his guilt, confirmed the circumstances of the case and repented. Taking this into account, as well as the absence of aggravating circumstances, the judge concluded that his correction is possible without isolation from society.

Earlier, two police officers of the Odesa District Police Department and their accomplice were suspected of extorting USD 10 thousand from a man. They allegedly threatened him with mobilization and criminal liability for drugs.

Кирило Бойко