In Odesa region, utility workers stole 15 million hryvnias through "dead souls" and reservations

Law enforcement officers in Odesa region uncovered the accrual of 15 million hryvnias in salaries for non-existent work at an enterprise that clears debris after shelling. 90 people were fictitiously employed at a critical infrastructure communal enterprise. This was reported by UNN with reference to the Office of the Prosecutor General and the National Police of Ukraine.

Details

According to the police, the suspects included the acting director and two of his deputies, the head of the human resources department, and the chief engineer.

The investigation established that an organized criminal group, using their official position, organized a scheme to embezzle budget funds. They fictitiously employed individuals in various technical positions: painters, janitors, electricians, plumbers, stove-makers.

In reality, these people did not work, and they handed over the money they received to the organizers. The group members distributed the received funds among themselves. This scheme operated from February 2024 to July 2025, according to law enforcement officials.

The investigation also established that the suspects groundlessly issued "reservations" for 13 people, thereby hindering mobilization measures and the activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The acting director and the head of the human resources department have been notified of suspicion:

• of abuse of office committed by an organized group (Part 3 of Article 27, Part 3 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine);
• of entering knowingly false information into official documents by an official, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy (Part 2 of Article 28, Part 1 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine);
• of obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during a special period, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy (Part 2 of Article 28, Part 1 of Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The first deputy and deputy director, as well as the chief engineer, are accused of abuse of office committed by an organized group (Part 3 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Two of the detained suspects were remanded in custody by the court without the right to bail. Three others were given an alternative bail of 4 to almost 5 million hryvnias.

Who "covers" fraudulent offices and how the protection system works4/9/26, 6:33 PM • 3283 views