Mykolaiv Region Sees 45,000 Criminal Cases in 2024 Amid Security Concerns

In 2024, more than 45,000 criminal cases were opened in Mykolaiv region. Law enforcement officers investigated cases of conscription evasion, corruption, land fraud, abuse in the public sector, and other criminal offenses.

This is stated in the annual report of the Mykolaiv Regional Prosecutor's Office.

In total, 45,756 criminal cases were under investigation by the National Police in the region. Of these, 17,105 were opened in 2024. Based on the results of investigative actions, 2,445 indictments were sent to court.

In 2024, 24 indictments were submitted to court on the facts of mobilization evasion.

The court will also consider a case of UAH 4.4 million in damages caused by officials who used low-quality materials for road repairs.

In addition, the prosecutor's office submitted to the court

• 23 indictments for cybercrime;
• 2 indictments for illegal transportation of persons across the state border;
• 2 indictments for misuse of humanitarian aid for profit.

The number of criminal offenses against the national security of Ukraine decreased. In particular, there were fewer cases of high treason (from 30 to 18) and collaboration (from 81 to 3). At the same time, the number of sabotage cases increased significantly - from 1 case in 2023 to 17 in 2024.

Following the pre-trial investigation, SBU investigators in the region submitted 61 indictments against 62 people, including 58 for crimes that threaten the foundations of Ukraine's national security.

The SBU also managed to neutralize 19 organized criminal groups consisting of 93 people involved in 367 criminal offenses. One criminal organization was detected and terminated.

As of December 31, 2024, law enforcement agencies recorded a total of 2,812 criminal offenses related to war crimes. Investigations are ongoing in 2,360 criminal proceedings classified under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

In addition, in 2024, indictments were submitted to the court in 43 criminal proceedings on corruption offenses, 30 in the budgetary sphere and 19 in the field of land relations. Claims worth over UAH 2 billion were filed with the court. The court decisions prevented the illegal seizure of property and funds from state and municipal property worth about UAH 650 million. Another UAH 1.6 billion was reimbursed voluntarily.

The Prosecutor's Office identified violations in public procurement, in particular in the organization of work to restore critical infrastructure. There were also cases of untimely or poor-quality performance of budget works by contractors, inaction of the authorities regarding the maintenance of civil defense facilities, violations in the process of acquiring municipal ownership of ownerless hydraulic structures, non-compliance with cultural heritage protection standards, and non-fulfillment of state property lease agreements.

As a result, 48 criminal proceedings have been initiated, most of which relate to illegal transactions with land plots and budget funds.

Also, thanks to the video surveillance system, which allows real-time monitoring of the situation on the streets of the city and the region, Mykolaiv police solved more than a thousand crimes. In particular, it helped solve more than 1,100 offenses, including serious and especially serious crimes.

In the frontline Mykolaiv region, which was partially under occupation, the SBU repeatedly detained teenagers involved in sabotage. They committed acts of sabotage and arson, including damage to infrastructure and military vehicles.

Анна Бальчінос