A scheme involving bogus employment and the illegal deferment of conscripts has been uncovered in Odessa
Operatives from the Odessa Directorate of the National Police’s Department of Internal Security, in collaboration with investigators from the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Odessa Region and with the involvement of the Odessa Regional State Administration, have uncovered a scheme organised by officials at one of the city’s housing and utilities services.
Those implicated in the case include the acting director of the company, two of his deputies, the head of the HR department and the chief engineer.
According to the investigation, the group members used their official positions to embezzle public funds. They registered people for technical roles, including painters, caretakers, electricians, fitters and stove fitters. These individuals did not actually work, and the wages paid to them were handed over to the organisers, who divided the funds amongst themselves.
Investigators established that the scheme operated from February 2024 to July 2025. During this period, around 90 people were fictitiously employed.
A separate scheme operated involving conscripts. Through formal registration at a company classified as critical infrastructure, they were granted deferment from service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Thirteen such cases have been identified.
During inspections, those involved simulated the presence of employees at their workplaces. To this end, people were dressed in uniforms and made to appear as though they were carrying out work.
Due to the presence of fictitious employees on the payroll, the actual staff had to carry out an increased workload, particularly regarding the maintenance of the housing stock.
According to the investigation, as a result of the group’s activities, almost 15 million hryvnias were embezzled from the budget of the Odesa City Council.
As part of the investigation, over 60 authorised searches were carried out at the suspects’ places of work and residence. Evidence was seized during the investigative operations.
Five suspects have been notified of the charges against them. They are accused of obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations, abuse of power or official position, and forgery of official documents. The maximum penalty is up to eight years’ imprisonment.
All suspects are currently in custody, two of them without the right to bail. The proceedings are being led by the Specialised Prosecutor’s Office for Defence in the Southern Region.
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