Odesa crane operator sentenced to suspended sentence for filming ships in the port

The Prymorskyi District Court of the city has found guilty a tower crane operator at the Odesa seaport who filmed and posted online views of the harbor with warships in it.

This was reported by the Dumskaya newspaper with reference to the court's verdict.

According to the publication, the court took into account that he fully admitted his guilt and repented, is raising two young sons, is officially employed, a good professional and respected in the team, and is also HIV-positive. In addition, the person who posted bail for him in the amount of 61 thousand hryvnias (initially it was 121 thousand, but later the bail was reduced) agreed to transfer most of this amount - 60 thousand hryvnias - to the needs of the defense of Ukraine.

The man was sentenced to five years in prison, but was released from serving his sentence with a two-year probationary period.

The case file says that from July to November 2024, the tower crane operator, while at work in the port of Odesa, filmed berths with ships and military personnel guarding the city. Afterwards, he posted the videos on TikTok, which received almost 100 thousand views.

Earlier, the Prymorskyi District Court of Odesa found a resident of the city guilty of obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during a special period. For the first time in Ukrainian judicial practice, digital footprints, short videos from TikTok, were assessed not just as evidence of anti-mobilization sentiment, but even as objective evidence in criminal proceedings.

The court found the Odesa woman guilty and sentenced her to five years in prison for obstructing the legitimate activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations during a special period.

Кирило Бойко