Odesa detains military TCC officer on suspicion of extortion of bribe for removal from wanted list

Law enforcement officers served a notice of suspicion of influence peddling to the commander of a security platoon of one of Odesa's district territorial centers for recruitment and social support and his accomplice.

According to the press service of the Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office of the Southern Region, in April 2025, a citizen approached a TCC serviceman with a question about the possible removal of a person who had evaded mobilization from the wanted list.

Having received this information, the serviceman, acting in collusion with his friend, offered his services, promising to influence the officials of the RTCC and the JV to remove him from the wanted list in exchange for USD 1.5 thousand.

Later, the amount of the bribe was increased to USD 6.5 thousand. At the same time, the serviceman insisted on receiving USD 1.5 thousand as an advance payment, and the rest - after the person was removed from the wanted list by the relevant territorial recruitment center.

Despite the demands, the conscript turned to law enforcement and acted under their control. On April 18, 2025, near a store in Odesa, the serviceman received the agreed part of the unlawful benefit in the amount of USD 1.5 thousand.

A month later, he informed the citizen liable for military service that he would soon be removed from the wanted list by the Bolhrad RTC and the Odesa Region JV, and also passed on the contacts of his accomplice for further coordination of the issue.

On May 26, 2025, in a parking lot near a commercial establishment in Odesa, the serviceman received the second part of the unlawful benefit in the amount of USD 5 thousand. Immediately afterwards, both suspects were detained by law enforcement officers.

The court has now imposed on them a custody as a measure of restraint with an alternative bail in the amount of UAH 908 thousand each. The possible involvement of RTCC and JV officials in the crime is also being established.

Кирило Бойко