About $3,500 to avoid conscription: a VSP serviceman demanded money in the Mykolaiv region

In Mykolaiv region September 21, a serviceman of the Mykolaiv Zonal Department of the Military Law Enforcement Service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine was detained. He is suspected of receiving an illicit benefit.

According to the investigation, in July 2026 the serviceman, in prior conspiracy with other persons, demanded from a citizen about USD 3,500. Among the possible participants in the arrangement is named a serviceman of the Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support.

For this money the man allegedly promised to assist in resolving several issues:

• military registration;
• passing the military-medical commission;
• removal of the citizen from the wanted list;
• exemption from being drafted into military service during mobilization.

In July, investigators of the Territorial Department of the State Bureau of Investigation in Mykolaiv entered information about this case into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations. The criminal proceeding was opened under part 3 of article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — receipt of an illicit benefit by an official.

Officers of the Security Service of Ukraine on September 21 documented the receipt of the illicit benefit and detained the serviceman. The detention was carried out pursuant to article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.

The Military Law Enforcement Service stated that it condemns corruption, abuse of office and the use of powers for personal interests. The agency also assists representatives of the DBR and the SBU in carrying out procedural actions, establishing the circumstances of the case and verifying the possible involvement of other persons.

Only a court can give the final legal assessment of the serviceman’s actions. His guilt must also be established in the manner prescribed by law.

Earlier we wrote:

• In Kherson region two servicemen demanded $7,000 for a VLK conclusion
• In Mykolaiv another TCC serviceman was detained after receiving a bribe: for $600 he promised to remove him from the wanted list
• In Mykolaiv TCC servicemen were detained on a bribe: for $2,400 they promised to “remove from the wanted list”
• A TCC officer detained for receiving $20,000 for arranging an exemption
• In Mykolaiv a TCC employee was detained for a $4,500 bribe