A major has been detained in the Odesa region; investigators suspect him of using his subordinates to build his own private home. Around 83 military personnel were found at the site, according to law enforcement officials. Under the procedural supervision of the Odesa Specialised Prosecutor’s Office for Defence Affairs in the Southern Region, the officer was served with a notice of suspicion.
Briefly about the main points
- Around 83 military personnel were found at a private house construction site.
- Investigators say the work went on for several months.
- According to the investigation, military lorries were used to transport building materials.
- The major was arrested and informed of the charges against him.
- The penalty under the relevant section of the law is between 8 and 12 years’ imprisonment.
What the police have established
Pros. according to the investigation, the commander of a military unit had been forcing his subordinates to work on the construction of his private home for several months. During a search of the site, law enforcement officers found around 83 military personnel carrying out construction work.
Investigators also documented the use of military lorries to transport building materials. According to the investigation, the evidence gathered points to a systematic pattern of behaviour.
Allegations and possible penalties
The major was arrested. He was informed that he was under suspicion of Part 5 of Article 426-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — a military officer exceeding their authority or official powers under the qualifying circumstances of martial law or a combat situation.
This provision provides for a penalty of imprisonment for a term of between eight and twelve years. A notice of suspicion is a procedural decision taken at the pre-trial investigation stage; only a court can determine a person’s guilt.
Distracting military personnel from carrying out their direct duties in conditions where wars directly affects the unit’s combat readiness. The use of military freight transport also indicates the unlawful use of state resources.
Similar cases have already been investigated
The State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) had previously reported on separate cases, unrelated to this investigation, concerning the involvement of military commanders in private construction or renovation projects. The incidents that were made public involved two, three or four subordinates.
The number of people identified at the site in the Odesa region is significantly higher than these isolated cases. This may indicate the considerable scale of the work being carried out as part of the investigation, but does not imply that other schemes are identical or that they are widespread.
