Major from Mykolaiv suspected of stealing military property

A court in Mykolaiv has extended the duties of a major suspected of stealing military property. The defendant in the case may be imprisoned for 15 years.

This is stated in the ruling of the Ingulsky District Court of Mykolaiv.

According to the investigation, on May 7, 2025, the major was officially notified of suspicion under Part 4 of Article 410 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - theft of military property by abuse of office during martial law.

He was the head of the fuel and lubricants storage department of a military unit in Mykolaiv. According to the investigation, in the period until May 2, 2025, together with a technician of the same military unit, a master sergeant, the suspect took possession of military property.

Initially, the court imposed on the major a pre-trial restraint in the form of detention with bail of over UAH 1.5 million. However, after posting bail, he was released on his own recognizance - in particular, he must report to the investigator when called, not leave Mykolaiv region without permission, report changes of residence and refrain from communicating with witnesses.

The prosecutor of the Mykolaiv Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office of the Southern Region filed a motion with the court to extend these obligations until August 7, 2025. He cited the risks of hiding the suspect, the possibility of pressure on witnesses, and the need to complete the investigation. At present, investigators need to declassify and attach a number of materials, conduct forensic examinations, interrogations and take other procedural actions.

During the court hearing, the defense counsel and the suspect did not object to the extension of duties, adding that the major fulfills all the requirements and continues to serve in another military unit.

The judge partially granted the prosecutor's motion, extending the duties. At the same time, the court refused to allow weekly visits to the investigator, taking into account the major's service in another unit. The obligation to surrender his foreign passport was also lifted, as it had already been fulfilled.

The suspect faces up to 15 years in prison for a particularly serious crime. The investigation is ongoing.

In May, SBI officers uncovered a scheme to steal fuel intended for the Armed Forces: officials were draining diesel and selling it to local farmers at reduced prices. Since the beginning of 2025, more than 13,000 liters of fuel have been sold, and cash was seized from the suspects during the arrest.

Анна Бальчінос