Ukrainian authorities have apprehended a former serviceman accused of attempting to extort money from the family of a soldier who died in combat. The individual allegedly sought to profit from a government compensation fund designated for the deceased soldier’s family.
According to investigations by the State Bureau of Investigations and the Office of the Prosecutor General, the suspect was aware that the family was entitled to a one-time payment of 15 million hryvnias, which is to be distributed among the soldier’s relatives. Following the soldier’s burial, the accused approached one of the soldier’s four sons, claiming that a bribe was necessary to facilitate the smooth processing of the compensation.
The suspect purportedly fabricated reasons for the bribe, alleging that it was required for the commander of the military unit to prepare the necessary documents. He demanded 1.2 million hryvnias, which he calculated as 10% of each son’s share. Notably, he did not solicit any money from the soldier’s new wife.
In subsequent discussions, the accused reduced the demanded amount to 500,000 hryvnias, insisting that it be paid after the family received the first installment of the compensation. Once the family obtained part of the funds, he insisted on the payment.
On February 25, law enforcement officials documented the suspect receiving 500,000 hryvnias near the city of Bar in the Vinnytsia region. To avoid direct contact, he instructed the victim to place the cash in a box and deliver it to a local store. The suspect’s wife then retrieved the money and handed it to him. He was arrested shortly after the transaction.
The former soldier has been charged with receiving an illegal benefit for a third party in connection with influencing a public official’s decision, accompanied by extortion, as per Article 369-2 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code. A court has ordered his detention, allowing for bail set at 998,400 hryvnias.
Authorities are currently investigating the potential involvement of active military personnel in this extortion scheme.
A former soldier in Ukraine has been arrested for attempting to extort money from the family of a deceased serviceman. He allegedly demanded a bribe to facilitate the processing of a government compensation payment, which has raised concerns about possible involvement from active military officials.