15 April 2026
(PHOTO: internationallawyersassociates.com)
While some go to the front, others try to "sell" the home front. In Odesa region, a sergeant was exposed who valued quiet service without combat at $15,000.
This is evidenced by the decision of the Kyiv District Court of Odesa.
According to the investigation, the military officer, who took up the position of senior sergeant of the 35th Security and Maintenance Platoon of the Operational Command South in March 2023, organized a scheme to illegally earn money from conscripts.
The investigator noted that he intended to receive a bribe to influence the decisions of officials - in particular, to assist in enrollment in the unit with further fictitious service.
In fact, in exchange for the money, the conscript was promised "quiet service" without the risk of being deployed to combat units.
In early April, during a conversation, the sergeant made his offer to the recruit. He formally agreed, but immediately turned to law enforcement and acted under their control. A few days later, the suspect informed the recruit about the amount of money for his so-called services - 15 thousand US dollars. The money was transferred the next day at the Vadial banquet hall in the village of Kryzhanivka. It was there that the soldier received the agreed amount, after which he was detained by law enforcement.
The suspect's actions were classified under an article that provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term exceeding five years. The court partially granted the investigator's request: the senior sergeant was sent to custody until June 6.
At the same time, the court determined the possibility of posting bail in the amount of UAH 1,660,500, and if it is posted, the serviceman will be released from custody with procedural obligations.
Also, a senior sailor of a military unit organized a scheme to make money off of people liable for military service. He offered "help" in finding a job at a training center of the Navy, where they could formally serve
Анна Бальчінос