Promised a deferment for $2,500: official to stand trial in Mykolaiv region

An indictment has been sent to court against the 41-year-old head of one of the departments of the Yuzhnoukrainsk City Council. According to police, the official received US$2,500 in exchange for promising to influence the preparation of grounds for a deferment from mobilization. The pre-trial investigation has been completed.

Investigators found that the official advised a man liable for military service and, in exchange for money, promised to help obtain fake medical documents concerning his mother’s health. The documents were to state that the woman allegedly needed constant care. Such a certificate was intended to serve as grounds for a deferment.

In addition to helping with the medical documents, the accused was allegedly supposed to influence officials at one of the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers so that the client could obtain grounds to avoid mobilization. The official received US$2,500 from the client for this service, according to the investigation.

Investigators also established that he offered these services to men of conscription age not only in Yuzhnoukrainsk, but also in neighboring communities in Voznesensk District.

The unlawful activity was documented by:

• investigators from the Voznesensk District Police Department, who conducted the investigation;
• the Voznesensk District Prosecutor’s Office, which provided procedural supervision;
• officers from the regional Security Service of Ukraine directorate, who provided operational support.

Law enforcement officers conducted court-authorized searches at the official’s home and workplace, in his vehicle, and at one of the departments of the Yuzhnoukrainsk City Council. During the searches, they found and seized evidence of his criminal activity, police reported.

In August and September 2026, the man was notified that he was suspected of offenses under the following provisions of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• Part 2 of Article 369-2 — obtaining an undue advantage for oneself in exchange for promising to influence a decision made by a person authorized to perform state functions;
• Part 1 of Article 114-1 — obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations during a special period.

At that time, the court ordered the suspect to be held in custody, with the option of posting bail.

After the pre-trial investigation was completed, investigators submitted the indictment to the prosecutor’s office. The prosecutor’s office then sent it to court for consideration on the merits. The accused faces up to 8 years in prison.

Under Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent and may not be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt has been proven in accordance with the law and established by a court’s guilty verdict.

Source: Mykolaiv Region Police.

We previously reported:

• 140,000 for avoiding mobilization: serviceman in Mykolaiv promised a deferment through his connections
• Man forged an MSEC certificate with the help of ChatGPT and was fined 17,000 hryvnias
• Disability status for $10,000: SBU exposes scheme involving former Mykolaiv MP Vadym Pidberezniak
• He priced his influence over the recruitment center at $2,500: city council official in Mykolaiv Region placed under house arrest
• Special operation to find draft dodgers covered Mykolaiv Region and 19 other regions