A military commander in the Odesa region has been charged with involving four soldiers in personal renovation work instead of deploying them to the front lines, resulting in losses to the state exceeding 500,000 hryvnias.

Source: State Bureau of Investigations

According to reports, "The SBI has accused a commander in one of the military units in Odesa of utilizing four of his subordinates for private purposes."

Details: Law enforcement officials discovered that in December 2024, the commander directed four servicemen to carry out renovations in an apartment in Podilsk, registered in the name of his common-law wife's mother.

From December 2024 to April 2025, instead of completing military assignments, these soldiers engaged in renovation tasks such as laying tiles, plastering walls, and installing plumbing.

Despite their absence from duty, the servicemen continued to receive combat pay, leading to state losses totaling over 500,000 hryvnias.

Meanwhile, other military units were actively engaged in combat missions at the front.

Agents from the SBI apprehended the commander at the apartment where he was overseeing the renovations. Currently, discussions are underway regarding preventive measures and his suspension from duty. He faces up to 12 years in prison.