Court continues pre-trial investigation in case against Bashtanka mayor

In Mykolaiv region, the investigation against the mayor and another official over embezzlement of community funds during the purchase of military clothing has continued. Investigators have received new evidence and are to re-interview witnesses.

This is stated in the ruling of the Bashtanka District Court of Mykolaiv Oblast.

The Bashtanka District Court of Mykolaiv Oblast has extended the pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings against Bashtanka Mayor Berehove and another suspect. The decision was made on November 12, 2025, at the request of the investigator and the prosecutor, who explained that it was impossible to complete the investigation within the established three-month period. The new investigation deadline was set for December 19, 2025.

According to the investigation, in August 2025, Oleksandr Berehovoi was suspected of embezzling community funds when purchasing winter clothing and boots for the military. Investigators found that more than UAH 1.1 million was allocated for the purchase of 150 sets of military clothing and boots, but the prices in the documents were artificially high. The mayor allegedly embezzled part of the funds through intermediaries who bought the uniforms at the real price and then sold them at a tender at an inflated price.

During the pre-trial investigation, investigators obtained new evidence: they questioned the suspect, witnesses and employees of the legal department of the Bashtanka City Council. In particular, the witnesses confirmed that the order and preparation of contracts No. 153 and No. 154 of December 1, 2022, were carried out with the participation of intermediaries. One of the witnesses claimed that he was offered to sell more than 100 pairs of military shoes and then contacted by other individuals allegedly connected to the mayor. Another witness described an agreement to supply sets of military uniforms through third parties.

In addition to Berehove, the Mykolaiv regional prosecutor's office has served 19 other suspicions on regional officials. They include the director of UMR Hydroenergobud for the illegal extraction of more than 116,000 cubic meters of granite; three officials of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection - two for bribery and one for negligence; the director of the State Enterprise Local Roads Agency of Mykolaiv Region and the head of a contractor for embezzling funds allocated for the protection of a power facility.

Earlier, the official was chosen as a preventive measure - detention with the possibility of bail in the amount of UAH 1.1 million. He faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. The court extended the pre-trial investigation until December 19, 2025.

Beregovoy recently filed an appeal, arguing that his suspension was formal and that the decision to extend it was based on assumptions rather than evidence. However, the Mykolaiv Court of Appeal rejected his appeal and upheld the suspension, explaining that it did not cause "any negative consequences."

Анна Бальчінос