In Kherson, two National Guard members were selling discharges from service

In Kherson, two National Guard members (a man and a woman) were caught extorting $7,000 from a fellow soldier in exchange for his discharge from military service through a medical board and subsequent certification of disability.

According to the State Bureau of Investigations, the idea to profit from a colleague—who was indeed preparing to undergo a medical examination due to deteriorating health—was proposed by an operator in the electronic warfare unit of one of the military units. He assured his comrade that, for a fee, he would guarantee his complete discharge from service.

<picture></picture>Photo: State Bureau of Investigations

The soldier enlisted the help of a medical instructor from the same unit in the scheme. She had connections from her previous place of service and undertook to negotiate with the doctors to secure the necessary medical report.

To make the scheme appear legitimate, the soldier was advised to undergo inpatient treatment. Later, the accomplices offered to help him obtain a disability classification as well, convincing him that the government benefits would fully offset the money spent on the bribe.

<picture></picture>Two military personnel were exposed in Kherson / Photo: State Bureau of Investigations

Officers from the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) detained the organizer while he was receiving the final installment of the agreed-upon sum.

Both military personnel were notified that they are suspected of receiving an unlawful benefit for influencing the decision-making of officials, committed by a group of individuals and combined with extortion (Part 2 of Article 28, Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

<picture></picture>Photo: State Bureau of Investigations

The penalty under this article provides for up to eight years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Ірина Глухова