Kyiv Man Arrested for Selling Humanitarian Aid Vehicles in Odesa

Investigators of the Investigation Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Odesa Oblast, together with officers of the Security Service of Ukraine in Odesa Oblast, detained a Kyiv resident in Odesa on suspicion of selling cars he had imported into the country as humanitarian aid.

According to the press service of the Main Police Department in Odesa region, the 43-year-old resident of the capital organized the search for and importation of cars into Ukraine under a simplified procedure, allegedly for the needs of military units and charitable organizations.

Later, he sold the humanitarian aid items on online vehicle sales services. He was detained after selling an Audi and two Mitsubishi for USD 16.1 thousand.

Investigators seized the money the man received, the sold cars and other items of evidentiary value in the case as material evidence.

The police detained the offender and served him a notice of suspicion of selling humanitarian aid goods (items) for profit, committed in a significant amount during martial law. This crime is classified under Part 3 of Article 201-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and is punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years with disqualification to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years and confiscation of property.

The court imposed on the suspect a custodial detention with the right to be released on bail in the amount of UAH 605 thousand. The full range of persons involved in this crime is being identified.

It should be noted that this is not the first case of fraud with humanitarian aid. In November 2024, the police detained five people in Mykolaiv region who were accused of selling food products received as charitable aid from international organizations and intended for distribution to residents of the regional center.

Кирило Бойко