Half a Million Hryvnias Bail and a Driving Ban: Pylypenko’s Defense Says He Poses a Risk to the Community

October 20, 2026, a hearing in the case of Oleh Pylypenko, head of the Shevchenkove community, took place at the Mykolaiv Court of Appeal. His defense lawyers are appealing his suspension from office and the imposition of bail in the amount of 499,200 hryvnias. The lawyers emphasize that the restrictions imposed on the community head could negatively affect its work ahead of a challenging winter period.

On October 20, defense lawyer Andrii Tolpekin, who represents Oleh Pylypenko together with his colleague Oleksandr Skotnikov, reported on Facebook.

According to the defense lawyer, the Shevchenkove community, which endured Russian occupation and shelling, continues to restore damaged infrastructure. At the same time, the head’s suspension and the ban on communicating with executive body employees could create difficulties in managing the community.

Andrii Tolpekin drew attention to the contradiction between the possible reinstatement of the head and other procedural restrictions that would remain in force.

“The head’s suspension and the ban on communicating with executive body employees need to be assessed together. Even if the suspension is lifted, the current communication restrictions could significantly complicate the performance of his duties. This is the connection we brought to the court’s attention.”

The lawyers insist that each restriction must be justified by specific circumstances. In their view, the court should consider the possibility of applying less burdensome measures, the suspect’s financial and family circumstances, and the impact of the suspension on community residents.

This is particularly important ahead of winter, when municipal infrastructure must be kept operational and the restoration of damaged facilities must continue.

At the hearing on October 20, the lawyers filed a motion to recuse the panel of judges, but the court denied it. The defense then requested a recess to review the full text of the ruling and the reasons behind the decision.

The hearing was scheduled to resume on October 27, 2026. No decisions on the merits of the appeals have been made yet.

As a reminder, Oleh Pylypenko is involved in criminal proceedings concerning possible abuses in obtaining compensation for destroyed housing under the “eRecovery” program. According to investigators, the amount in question is 2.6 million hryvnias. On October 7, the court imposed bail of 499,200 hryvnias as a preventive measure and suspended him from office.

Oleh Pylypenko denies that the suspicion is well-founded. His defense lawyers stress that a suspicion does not amount to proven guilt and that any restrictions on human rights must have a proper legal basis.

It should be noted that in March 2022, Oleh Pylypenko was captured by Russian forces while delivering food to community residents. In June 2022, he was released in a prisoner exchange.

We previously reported:

• Underground schools open in Mykolaiv region: a new safety standard for children during the war
• Lithuania to build a shelter and a new school in Mykolaiv region to replace one destroyed by Russian forces
• “Not paving stones, but direct aid to defenders”: Shevchenkove community launches support programs for Ukraine’s Armed Forces
• Liberation anniversary: Shevchenkove community recovers after Russian occupation
• Shevchenkove territorial community becomes the first in the region to undergo humanitarian demining