In Odessa, a court fined a former police officer for a military scam

A court in Odesa fined a former law enforcement officer 1.45 million hryvnias. In exchange for $35,000, he promised to arrange for a man to be assigned to “formal” duty without being sent to the front lines.

This is stated in the verdict of the Peresypsky District Court of Odesa.

It all began in May 2025. The man, who was facing criminal charges, was looking for a way to avoid punishment. According to the court, the defendant promised to help him in exchange for 40,000 euros.

The promise was as follows: to issue a military ID and a letter of recommendation from a military unit. Based on these documents, the client would be drafted into that specific unit. He would serve “formally” and would not be sent to a combat zone. The draft was also supposed to halt the proceedings in his case.

The first conversation took place on May 17 at a gas station in Odesa. Five days later, the parties agreed on a lower amount—35,000 dollars. At the National Bank’s exchange rate, that is 1.45 million hryvnias.

According to the client, after the first meeting, he went to the police. Law enforcement officers conducted a reenactment and handed him 34,800 fake dollars and 200 real ones.

On the evening of May 22, at another gas station in Odesa, the man handed over the money. The defendant was immediately arrested. A bag containing the money was found in the back seat of his car. This was confirmed by two witnesses.

He did not admit guilt. According to him, he was merely “playing along” because he realized that the person he was talking to was working for law enforcement. He also stated that he had no ties to the military and wanted to see the “game” through to the end. According to him, the client did not hand over the money to him or leave it in the car.

The court did not accept this explanation.

“The defendant could not have failed to understand the significance of his actions and the fact that they were criminal,” the verdict noted.

The ruling also noted that the man is a former law enforcement officer and has a law degree.

The court found the man guilty of accepting a bribe to influence an official’s decision.

The prosecutor sought a harsher charge, under which the man would also have been accused of extortion. The court found no evidence of extortion and reduced the charge.

The penalty is a fine of 1.45 million hryvnias. In such cases, the law prohibits imposing a fine less than the amount of the benefit received.

The court also took into account that the man had no prior convictions and has a second-degree disability.

He was also ordered to pay 36,900 hryvnias in expert examination costs. Until the verdict takes effect, he remains in custody with the right to post bail. The seizure of his property has been lifted.

Ірина Глухова