Extorted combatants from subordinates: commander of military unit in Odesa suspected of bribery

The commander of a military unit in Odesa was detained. Photo: National Police

A 31-year-old military unit commander was detained in Odesa. He is suspected of extorting and receiving more than 400,000 hryvnias from his subordinates from their combat pay.

This was reported by the Specialised Defence Prosecutor's Office of the Southern Region and the Odesa Police.

According to the investigation, the suspect organised a monthly collection of 30% of additional payments for combat missions, allegedly for the needs of the military unit, equipment repair and other expenses. Those who did not agree with such «conditions», the commander threatened to send them to units involved in hostilities.

The commander of a military unit in Odesa was detained. Photo: Special Defence Prosecutor's Office of the Southern Region

The commander of a military unit in Odesa was detained. Photo: Special Defence Prosecutor's Office of the Southern Region

Law enforcement officers documented that from June to December 2024, the suspect received more than 400,000 hryvnias. On 2 January this year, he was detained after receiving another «tranche of» in the amount of 41 thousand hryvnias.

Currently, the commander has been chosen as a preventive measure in the form of detention with the possibility of bail in the amount of 363 thousand hryvnias.

Law enforcement officers are also checking the facts of unreasonable inclusion of servicemen in combat orders to artificially increase their payments.

The commander of a military unit in Odesa was detained. Photo: National Police

The commander of a military unit in Odesa was detained. Photo: National Police

Earlier, pseudo-employees of the Territorial Recruitment Center and the police were detained in Odesa who demanded money for «protection from mobilisation».