Freedom of nurse from Odesa arrested for extortion estimated at 400 thousand

A nurse who demanded a bribe to influence TEC and REC officials was arrested in Odesa. The court ruled that the woman could be released if she posts bail of almost UAH 400,000.

This is stated in the ruling of the Kyiv District Court of Odesa.

The court in Odesa imposed a pre-trial restraint on a Ukrainian citizen suspected of influence peddling (Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

According to the investigation, on August 27, 2025, the woman was served a notice of suspicion of extortion of undue advantage from persons liable for military service. Law enforcement officers found that the suspect acted in Odesa, trying to influence members of military medical commissions and heads of district military and civilian health centers. In exchange for money, she promised to resolve the issue of removing men from military registration for health reasons.

It turned out that until recently she had worked as a nurse and assured her clients of allegedly reliable connections in medical institutions and military enlistment offices.

The investigation established several facts of receiving illegal benefits. Thus, in August, the woman received UAH 25 thousand from one of the persons liable for military service for influencing the change of diagnosis in his ID card and deregistration of his husband. Later, she demanded USD 6 thousand in a public catering establishment, and on August 26 received this amount from her husband, who appealed to law enforcement. The money was seized when the offender was detained.

The prosecutor emphasized that the suspect could hide, destroy or falsify evidence, influence witnesses and otherwise obstruct the investigation. The defense lawyer objected, referring to the suspect's serious health condition, the presence of dependent children and lack of income. He suggested alternative measures, including house arrest and an electronic bracelet.

The court partially granted the prosecutor's request: the suspect will be held in custody until October 24, 2025, with the possibility of bail in the amount of UAH 393,640. Law enforcement officers continue the investigation, checking all the circumstances and possible accomplices.

The press service of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Odesa region reported that the woman blackmailed and intimidated people by threatening them with mobilization, even if they had legal grounds for deferral or health problems.

Анна Бальчінос