В Одессе задержали командира, который требовал от подчиненных 30% от боевых выплат, сообщила полиция.

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

According to sources from the local publication "Dumska," the case concerns the commander of the 21st separate platoon for combating underwater sabotage forces and means of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ruslan Gupalenko.

The police note that for seven months, he collected extortion payments from servicemen: he demanded 30% of additional monetary allowances for completing combat missions, allegedly justifying this by the needs of the military unit, including for equipment repairs.

For those who refused to pay, the official threatened to create artificial obstacles in their service by fabricating nonexistent deficiencies in their work, unjustified transfers to other units, or to combat zones, say law enforcement officers.

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

The 31-year-old commander was caught red-handed while receiving 41,000 hryvnias. Investigators conducted searches of his vehicle and apartment, seizing the latest extorted payment, 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 unlawful benefit obtained by an official.

He faces up to 10 years in prison with the confiscation of property.

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