SBI sends extortion case in 110th Brigade to court
SBI employees completed a large-scale investigation into a criminal group in military unit 110 of the separate mechanized brigade in the Khmelnytskyi region, which was headed by the deputy commander.
The official had been exploiting his subordinates for a long time and using threats to avoid exposure. One of the servicemen, under his pressure, committed suicide. This was reported by the State Bureau of Investigation and the Prosecutor General's Office.
In June 2024, one of the servicemen decided to expose illegal actions in the unit and took a bag with 1.5 million UAH from an official and handed it over to the SBI employees. The command tried to hide the crime by registering it in the SZCH and declaring the alleged theft of weapons. In fact, the man was wanted for physical violence. The deputy commander threatened to kill him and his family, and also tried to kidnap the serviceman.
At the end of December 2024, the Bureau's employees conducted searches, found allegedly stolen weapons, and detained an official. As it turned out, a "extortion" mechanism operated in the brigade: servicemen who did not want to serve were offered to "not show up" for half their salary. Some of them were even issued combat payments. Those who did not want to pay were sent to the most dangerous areas of the front.
The scheme involved the commander of the logistics group, three drivers, and a repair shop worker. One of the subordinates, who forged documents under pressure from the organizer, committed suicide. In his suicide note, he noted who had convinced him to commit suicide.
As part of separate proceedings, the State Bureau of Investigation is investigating other episodes of the official's activities - the alleged theft of military property and food. The losses may exceed UAH 30 million.
The suspect's property acquired after 2022 was seized. The legality of assets with a total value of over UAH 14 million is being verified, including two apartments in Odessa and Khmelnytskyi, two land plots near Bukovel, a garage, a Mercedes-Benz car, and securities.
Over 7 million UAH in various currencies were transferred to ARMA. The deputy commander (Ruslan Shelest) is charged with as many as 8 articles of the Criminal Code. The official faces up to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property.
The commander of the logistics group and four soldiers will be tried along with him.
Let us remind you that Ruslan Shelest is a person involved in the EBK base.
