In Odessa, police exposed a unit commander who demanded 30% of combat pay from his subordinates.

This was reported by the Odessa region police and the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the defense sector of the Southern region.

According to local sources from the publication "Dumska," this concerns the commander of the 21st separate platoon for counter-diversionary operations of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ruslan Hupalенко.

The police note that for seven months, he collected illegal fees from servicemen: he demanded an additional 30% of their monetary allowances for completing combat missions, allegedly citing the needs of the military unit, including for equipment repairs.

Those who refused to pay were threatened by the official with creating artificial obstacles in their service, such as fabricating deficiencies in their work or unjustly transferring them to other units or combat zones, law enforcement officials say.

From June to December 2024, the commander received over 400,000 hryvnias from the personnel.

The 31-year-old commander was caught in the act while receiving 41,000 hryvnias. Investigators conducted searches in his car and apartment, seizing the last monetary extortion, mobile phones, and bank cards.

What punishment awaits?

The commander has been notified of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — extortion and receiving unlawful benefits by an official.

He faces up to 10 years of imprisonment with asset confiscation.

The court has chosen a preventive measure in the form of detention with the right to bail. The investigation is ongoing.