From clashes with the Territorial Recruitment Centers to Yermak’s team: a new turn in Tolpekin’s career

Mykolaiv lawyer Andrii Tolpekin, who previously found himself at the center of a high-profile scandal involving his detention by patrol officers and transfer to a Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center (TCC), has joined the nationwide “Advokat+” project, led by former Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrii Yermak.

He announced this on Facebook following a meeting of the Committee of the National Bar Association of Ukraine, held in Kyiv on October 29, 2026.

According to Andrii Tolpekin, he received the invitation after an interview with Andrii Yermak. He decided to join the project with the support of Dmytro Baranenko, acting head of the Mykolaiv Regional Bar Council, who also attended the meeting.

The meeting addressed issues affecting service members, particularly those who have returned from Russian captivity. Topics included undergoing the Military Medical Commission (MMC), medical care, payments, social guarantees, and the right to leave and discharge from military service.

They also discussed upholding people’s rights at TCCs and joint recruitment and social support centers, as well as training centers. Plans include expanding the project to 40 military brigades.

Materials were also presented on how families of fallen service members can obtain financial assistance, the seizure of funds in enforcement proceedings, and the legal grounds for discharge from service.

At the meeting on October 29, Andrii Tolpekin emphasized the need for clear legal guidance for service members and their families.

“As a military lawyer, I consider working on materials like these especially valuable. People need clear explanations: where to turn, what to prepare, and what steps to take next. It is important for lawyers to share practical experience so that assistance is timely and effective.”

Following the meeting, the lawyer said he was ready to put his experience in military law to use and help develop the initiative in Mykolaiv Oblast.

As a reminder, former Head of the Office of the President Andrii Yermak took charge of the relevant NAU committee after leaving public office. In May 2026, he had already visited Mykolaiv as part of the “Advokat+” project. His return to public life came after a corruption scandal and statements about his intention to go to the front.

As a reminder, in February 2025, Andrii Tolpekin found himself at the center of a high-profile scandal in Mykolaiv. Patrol officers stopped his car on suspicion of drug impairment, which was not confirmed by a medical examination. The officers then forcibly detained the lawyer and took him to a TCC, claiming he was wanted for allegedly violating military registration rules. Tolpekin disputed the legality of his detention and alleged that force had been used, while the police maintained that their actions were lawful. A criminal investigation was opened following the lawyer’s complaint into possible abuse of office by police officers.

Previously, we wrote:

• Half a million in bail and a driving ban: Pylypenko’s defense says the community faces risks
• “The judge works, the prosecutor works, but the lawyer was mobilized?”: Ukrainians are gathering signatures to exempt lawyers from mobilization
• After the corruption scandal and talk of the front: Yermak makes an unexpected appearance in Mykolaiv
• Yermak and a team of lawyers make their first trips to the front
• Patrol officers invented “drug impairment,” wrestled the driver to the ground, and took him to a TCC: abuse of power in Mykolaiv?