SBU sergeant fined for bribery in Odesa

An SBU sergeant in Odesa region was convicted of taking a bribe to defer mobilization. He was fined and will remain on bail until October 2025.

This is stated in the verdict of the Podil City District Court.

Law enforcement officers exposed the chief sergeant of the Security Service of Ukraine in Odesa region, who promised to help in obtaining a deferral from mobilization in exchange for a bribe of 20 thousand hryvnias.

According to the investigation, the man held the position of instructor of the department since July 2022 and had responsible duties: he worked on the documentation of the organization of military service, maintained equipment, and notified recruits. However, instead of serving in good faith, he decided to use his official position for personal gain.

In December 2024, he offered a citizen to influence military officials in exchange for UAH 50 thousand to obtain documents on deferment of conscription. After agreeing on the amount of UAH 20 thousand, law enforcement officers organized a controlled transfer of money.

Acting under the control of law enforcement, the citizen agreed to the terms of the bribe, and on February 19, 2025, the chief sergeant received the money in a Toyota Corolla on the side of the road near his house in Podilsk. Law enforcement detained him at the crime scene.

The court found him guilty under Part 2 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and imposed a fine of UAH 34 thousand. The measure of restraint in the form of bail in the amount of over UAH 240 thousand was left unchanged.

Also, the Podilskyi City District Court of Odesa Region convicted a police officer who tried to organize a channel for smuggling men of military age to Moldova. And in early August, a court in Odesa took into custody an inspector of a military academy suspected of participating in a scheme to evade mobilization. At the time of the crime, he held the position of inspector for military registration and reservation. According to the investigation, together with four accomplices, he demanded and received bribes of more than USD 12,000 and UAH 20,000 in installments.

Анна Бальчінос