Junior sergeant from Mykolaiv promised rear service for 3 thousand dollars

In Mykolaiv, a junior sergeant was detained for extorting at least UAH 200,000 for transferring a soldier to another unit without participating in combat operations. He was caught red-handed while receiving the second part of the bribe.

This was reported by the press service of the Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office in the Southern Region.

The investigation found that in April 2025, one of the soldiers, who had previously left the unit without permission, wanted to return to service. Due to the expiration of the voluntary return period, he was offered to contact a representative of the unit, who would allegedly help resolve the issue.

In May, the suspect, acting as an intermediary, offered to resolve the issue for at least UAH 200,000 - it was about transferring to another unit, avoiding criminal liability and being appointed to a rear position.

The soldier turned to law enforcement and acted under their control. During a meeting with another representative of the unit, the suspect insisted on transferring another $3,000, threatening to transfer him to a combat brigade if he refused. On May 29, he received the first tranche of 2 thousand euros, after which the soldier was appointed a fuel truck driver.

On June 2, near a hypermarket in Mykolaiv, the suspect received another 40 thousand hryvnias and promised a quiet service without participation in hostilities. He was detained immediately after the money transfer.

During the search, the money was found, including 1,000 euros from the previous tranche. The prosecutor's office is currently preparing a motion to the court for detention. Law enforcement is also checking the involvement of other military officials in the scheme.

Prosecutors of the Mykolaiv Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office served a notice of suspicion to a junior sergeant of a military unit on charges of bribery under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

In May, a serviceman and a psychiatrist in Mykolaiv region tried to make money on fake hospitalization. In return for a $3,500 bribe, they promised to organize a long stay in the hospital and help with obtaining a status of limited fitness for service.

The soldier, who was already undergoing treatment, asked his friend to extend his hospitalization, but instead of medical care, he heard a tariff: 30 thousand hryvnias for a place in the hospital and another 3.5 thousand dollars for the necessary documents. The man turned to law enforcement, and all further actions were under their control.

Анна Літман