The prosecutor's office has referred a case involving the sale of disability benefits in Odesa to court

In Odesa, the case of a 47-year-old man suspected of selling fake disability classifications has been referred to court. Specifically, he is accused of abuse of influence and receiving 12,000 U.S. dollars in exchange for a promise to process documents to evade military service.

This was reported by the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office. 

The defendant faces a fine ranging from 34,000 to 93,500 hryvnias or imprisonment for a term of 2 to 8 years with confiscation of property.

According to the investigation, in July 2026, the accused was looking for men who wanted to avoid conscription. As noted in the case file, he offered a 26-year-old Odesa resident money to resolve issues with medical certificates, assuring him that he had connections at the regional and district hospitals.

As documented by law enforcement, the defendant promised to secure a Group III, and later a Group II, disability classification for $12,000. At the same time, as indicated in the case file, the man convinced the client that it was impossible to process the documents without his help, and that an official review involving a team of experts could take over a year. 

The case file notes that the victim had no choice but to agree to the proposed terms. 

Law enforcement officers caught the man “red-handed” in one of Odesa’s cafes immediately after he received part of the agreed-upon sum.

The investigation has now been completed.

Юлія Калабайда