Corruption was uncovered in Odesa regarding the return of soldiers from the North-Western Military District

War gives rise not only to new challenges on the front lines, but also to schemes that prey on the fears of military personnel. In Odesa, military personnel were caught taking bribes at the Northwest Military Registration and Enlistment Office.

This was reported by Intent, citing a ruling by the Peresypsky District Court of Odesa.

According to the investigation, the suspect served as an anti-aircraft gunner in one of the military units. Investigators believe he acted in collusion with another man, as well as with as-yet-unidentified military personnel and civilians. Together, they allegedly offered military personnel money to “resolve issues” regarding their continued service and to conceal the fact of desertion.

According to the investigation, in early June, the suspects met with a military officer in the Kyivskyi district of Odesa and presented their terms. For $8,500, they promised to influence officials at the military unit to approve his continued service and not to record his unauthorized absence. If the man refused to pay, he was allegedly threatened with being sent to the front lines or facing criminal prosecution resulting in actual imprisonment.

Initially, the soldier transferred $2,000 through an intermediary. The very next day, as noted in the case file, the suspects confirmed receipt of the money in a Telegram conversation. Later, they began demanding the remainder of the sum. On June 19, one of the suspects received another $5,000.

In June, both main suspects were notified that they were suspected of accepting a bribe to influence the decision-making of public officials, combined with extortion and committed as part of a premeditated conspiracy by a group of individuals.

During a search of the vehicle used by one of the suspects, investigators seized the vehicle itself and a cell phone. Law enforcement officials believe that these items may contain information about the organization of the scheme and the contacts of its participants, so they petitioned the court to seize the property to preserve evidence.

The investigating judge agreed with the prosecution’s arguments and seized the vehicle and the phone. The pretrial investigation in the criminal case is ongoing.

Also in June, a woman was detained who had been profiting from a conscript’s desire to avoid being sent to a combat zone. The woman explained her ability to do so by claiming to have established connections among representatives of government agencies,the Territorial Military Commissariat, and military units.

Анна Бальчінос