Officers from the State Bureau of Investigations, with the assistance of the Security Service of Ukraine, have uncovered two law enforcement officials in the Odesa region who systematically demanded bribes from small business owners. Under the threat of mobilizing their employees, entrepreneurs were forced to regularly pay a set amount.

Since November 2024, the offenders demanded money monthly, threatening to report military enlistment offices about employees who were not registered for military service, as well as threatening fines and the issuance of summons.

The average monthly "tribute" amounted to approximately 9 thousand hryvnias from each entrepreneur and was determined individually. Overall, from nearly 30 entrepreneurs, the law enforcement officers received around 220 thousand hryvnias per month, which they divided among themselves.

"On March 27, 2025, one of them was detained while receiving another bribe from several entrepreneurs totaling 42 thousand hryvnias. Both individuals have been notified of suspicion under part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (receiving improper benefits)" - the statement reads.

The penalty for this article provides for up to 10 years in prison. The court has chosen to remand them in custody with the possibility of bail set at 1 million hryvnias each. A motion is being prepared for their removal from office. The procedural guidance is carried out by the Odesa regional prosecutor's office.