With the assistance of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the leadership of the Ground Forces, the SSU Directorate for Internal Security and the National Police dismantled an organised criminal group in Odesa that included officials of a local Territorial Recruitment Centre.

The investigation revealed that the suspects had extorted money from individuals. Those who refused were subjected to violence and threatened with being sent ‘to the front lines as part of an assault unit’ immediately.

The extortion of funds took place directly in the TRC’s official minivan, into which the victims were dragged by force.

The SSU detained all the group’s members ‘in the act’ while they were abducting and extorting money from another local resident.

During the arrest, the suspects physically resisted law enforcement officers. The SSU special forces fired at the tires of the vehicle in which the gang members were attempting to flee. No one sustained gunshot wounds.

It has been documented that the perpetrators acted on information from a local resident who had served in the TRC. This individual sought potential victims, learned about their financial situation and tracked their routes.

The criminal group then tracked the victims and attacked them in the street.

Two service minivans were used for the raids: the victims were held in one while a group from the second vehicle monitored the surrounding area.

All detainees have been served notices of suspicion under Article 189.4 of the CCU (extortion resulting in property damage on an especially large scale or committed by an organised group under martial law).

The decision on measures of restraint is pending. The perpetrators face up to 12 years’ imprisonment and the confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Khadzhibey District Prosecutor’s Office of Odessa.