Mayor of Bashtanka faces 12 years in prison for purchasing low-quality clothing for military

The mayor of Bashtanka, Oleksandr Berehovoi, is suspected of embezzlement in the procurement of clothing for the military. He considers the suspicion groundless and assures that he will prove his innocence in court.

This was reported by Suspilne.

Law enforcement officers accused Bashtanka Mayor Oleksandr Berehovoi of embezzling more than UAH 1 million from the community budget when purchasing clothing and footwear for the military. According to the prosecutor's office, the purchased goods were of poor quality and bought at inflated prices.

Berehove was served with a notice of suspicion on August 19, 2025. Ihor Yegorov, prosecutor of the Bashtanka District Prosecutor's Office, explained that the criminal proceedings under the article "Misappropriation, embezzlement or seizure of property through abuse of office" were initiated in March 2023. According to him, the embezzlement took place under martial law and in particularly large amounts. During the investigation, eyewitness testimonies, expert opinions, materials of covert investigative actions and documents that gave rise to the notice of suspicion were collected.

The sanction of the article provides for 7 to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property and restriction on certain positions for up to three years. According to the prosecutor's office, the 150 sets of clothing and footwear purchased did not comply with the State Standards of Ukraine and did not have the necessary certificates.

The mayor denies any violations. He explains that the purchases were made at the request of military units that needed warm clothing for their personnel, as the warehouses were empty and winter was approaching. Former serviceman Oleh Sydoryka confirmed that they were not purchasing uniforms, but warm sets, and the amount per set was realistic for the time.

On September 3, the official was taken into custody, but the next day his wife posted bail of UAH 1.1 million, and Berehovoi was released from the jail. On September 9, the court removed him from the position of mayor, and the council secretary is now performing his duties. Lawyer Denys Tkachenko explained that if he is acquitted, Berehovoi will be able to return to his position and receive compensation for lost wages. Berehovoi assures that he will provide all the evidence of his innocence in court and considers the suspicion groundless.

According to eyewitnesses, the mayor allegedly acted through a deputy and intermediaries who first bought the uniforms at market price and then resold them at a tender at an inflated price, pocketing the difference. In addition, the prosecutor's office announced 19 more suspicions against various officials in Mykolaiv region.

Анна Бальчінос