In Odessa, a court heard the case of the drunk lieutenant "Predator" following a clash with the TCC

In Odessa, a court extended the preventive measure against a police officer from the "Predator" special unit who,while intoxicated, threatened police officers and TCC employees with a loaded shotgun and also damaged a minibus.

Intent learned of this from a ruling by the Peresypsky District Court of Odessa.

According to the investigation, on October 27, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m., the police officer, while driving a white “Nissan Leaf,” saw police officers and TCC personnel at the intersection of Velyka Arnautska and Zaslavskogo Streets in Odessa and stopped near their “Hyundai H-1” vehicle.

While under the influence of alcohol, the man took his “Ruger AR” hunting rifle out of the trunk and approached those present. The court document describes the police officer’s actions as having been committed “out of hooliganism” and “with particular audacity.”

As stated in the court ruling, the suspect, “using profanity, approached a police officer … and, holding the aforementioned weapon in his hands, pointed the barrel at the officer, demonstrating his intent to use it.”

After that, the officer began striking the window of the TCC minibus with the butt of the rifle and shattered it. The investigation established that the weapon was in his hands and loaded at all times—while striking the window, a cartridge accidentally fell out of the rifle and landed inside the vehicle.

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

The suspect then drove to the “Socar” gas station on Lyustdorfskaya Road, where law enforcement officers located and stopped him. The officer’s weapon and ammunition were seized, and a report of an administrative offense was filed.

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

According to the case file, the suspect served as a police officer in Platoon No. 1, Company No. 1, of the “Predator-1” Special Purpose Patrol Police Regiment of the Patrol Police Department of the National Police, held the special rank of police lieutenant, and possessed a valid firearms permit.

On June 3, 2026, he was notified of his status as a suspect under Part 4 of Article 296 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—hooliganism committed with the use of a firearm.

On June 4, 2026, the court imposed a preventive measure on the suspect in the form of pretrial detention for a period of two months—until August 4. Now, at the prosecutor’s request, the term of detention has been extended until September 29, 2026. 

The suspect and his defense attorney did not object to the extension—particularly given that the man is currently being held in a pretrial detention center pursuant to a court order in another case until September 20, 2026.

The State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) had previously reported on this incident; at that time, the Bureau opened a criminal case regarding threats made against law enforcement officers (Part 1 of Article 345 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Ірина Глухова