General Staff officer suspected of extorting $14,000 from a soldier

An officer of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been served a notice of suspicion of receiving $14,000 in illicit benefits. According to the investigation, she promised to influence officials of a military hospital.

Initially, the officer allegedly offered to facilitate a soldier’s transfer from a combat unit to a rear unit for $7,000–10,000. When it turned out to be difficult to implement this plan, she proposed another option.

According to the investigation, the suspect promised to help the soldier obtain a Group III disability status with subsequent discharge from service. The cost of such a “solution” was $14,000.

Law enforcement officers believe that for this money the officer was supposed to influence the staff of the military hospital so that they would make the necessary decision.

The meeting took place on August 6, 2026, in Kyiv. After receiving the agreed sum, the officer was detained.

She is charged with receiving an illicit benefit for influencing an official’s decision, combined with extortion. The court imposed a pre-trial restraint in the form of round-the-clock house arrest on the suspect.

In accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt is proved by a court’s conviction.

Source: Prosecutor General's Office