The head of a workshop at a college in Odesa was detained on suspicion of accepting a bribe

In Odesa, law enforcement officers detained the head of a workshop at a college who is suspected of organizing a scheme to evade mobilization through fictitious enrollment. The official was arrested while receiving 1,500 U.S. dollars.

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

The suspect has been notified of the charges against him. He is accused of receiving an unlawful benefit in exchange for influencing the decisions of members of the admissions committee. 

According to the investigation, starting in July 2026, the suspect organized a scheme to evade mobilization. Through his acquaintances, he sought out men who had no legal grounds for a deferment from mobilization. During face-to-face meetings, he offered—for a fee—to secure admission to a college for full-time study, which would subsequently serve as grounds for exemption from mobilization.

He collected payment for his services in installments: first an advance, and the remainder at the next meeting. It was during the handover of the second payment—1,500 dollars—that law enforcement officers apprehended him.

Earlier in Odesa, a woman was detained who, for $5,000, promised a man she would remove him from the Territorial Recruitment Center’s wanted list, help him get assigned to a military unit, and avoid service in areas of active combat.

According to the investigation, the woman assured her acquaintance that she had influence over officials at the TerritorialRecruitmentCenter and the military unit. For a fee, she allegedly could resolve issues regarding his military registration and place of service.

Юлія Калабайда