A soldier was detained at the Mykolaiv pretrial detention center for corruption schemes involving the military

In Mykolaiv, a member of the military was charged with extorting a bribe in exchange for helping another service member return to his unit and subsequently arranging for medical examination reports. 

This is evidenced by a ruling from the Mykolaiv Central District Court.

According to the investigation, in late July 2026, the soldier met with a woman in a car near a building on Mykolaivska Street. During the conversation, the man demanded that she give him $16,000.

The money was allegedly intended as payment to influence officials at the military unit and the military medical commission. The matter concerned the return of the woman’s husband—who had left the military unit without authorization—to resume his service, as well as obtaining medical commission findings that could allow him to be discharged from military service on health grounds.

In early August, as investigators determined, he received the first installment of the bribe—$2,000. That same day, he demanded another $4,000, stating that if the request was denied, the woman’s husband could be sent to units on the front lines to gain combat experience.

Later, he received another $4,000 in bribes. In total, he managed to obtain $6,000. After that, he was detained by law enforcement officers.

The investigator requested that bail be set at 1.6 million hryvnias. The soldier partially admitted his guilt but refused to provide a statement. His defense attorney objected to his detention.

The judge ordered the man to remain in custody until October 9, 2026. At the same time, bail was set at 1.3 million hryvnias.

Also in August, law enforcement officers detained the head of the Mykolaiv Regional Territorial Recruitment Center and Special Forces. He was caught accepting a $15,000 bribe in exchange for helping someone evade mobilization.

Анна Бальчінос