Lieutenant Colonel from Kherson region extorted money and gifts from military for vacations

A former commander of an artillery unit will be tried for systematically extorting bribes from a subordinate for illegal vacations. The subordinate gave money, equipment and other things in return for his services.

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

Prosecutors of the Kherson Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office have brought to court a case against a former commander of an artillery unit accused of systematically extorting bribes from his subordinates under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, the lieutenant colonel, whose unit is fighting in Kherson region, organized an enrichment scheme by forcing servicemen to pay for short-term vacations without proper documentation.

In exchange for the vacation without good reason, the commander did not withdraw the soldier's pay, and in case of refusal, he threatened disciplinary action. The subordinate gave him money, bought equipment, paid for services and even things for his children - a total of almost 160 thousand hryvnias.

During the searches, the police seized material evidence confirming the bribes. The lieutenant colonel was detained and a custodial measure of restraint was imposed on him with the possibility of bail in the amount of UAH 272,000. He was also removed from office. The investigation was conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation in Melitopol with operational support from the police.

Also in Mykolaiv region, the chief of staff of a military unit is suspected of illegally charging combat bonuses and faces up to eight years in prison. The court has already seized the official's property for possible compensation.

Meanwhile, Vira Bilyakova, the former chief physician of the Mykolaiv Regional Center for Medical and Social Expertise, was taken into custody without bail. Investigators suspect her of forgery in office, issuing illegal deferrals from mobilization and concealing elite real estate in her declaration.

Анна Бальчінос