In Cherkasy, the SSU detained an offender who extorted from families of fallen Ukrainian soldiers a share of the financial assistance they received from the state. The aid is a one-time payment of UAH 15 mln after the death of a defender in the war.

In case of refusal, the racketeer threatened the victims with violence and physical harm, including to their children.

The SSU documented the suspect extort almost UAH 800,000 from a mother and a sister of a Ukrainian serviceman killed in the spring of 2022 near Severodonetsk.

To ‘knock out’ the money, he regularly terrorized the soldier’s family and threatened the women with murder.

During the operation, the SSU detained the suspect ‘red-handed’ when he received UAH 200,000 of the ‘tribute’.

According to the investigation, the extortionist is a local resident who used his connections to obtain information on relatives of Ukrainian defenders killed in action.

When the man learned that the affected families received state aid, he called them and demanded ‘his percentage’.

During the searches at his home, the SSU found the mobile phones used in the crime, as well as two combat grenades.

The apprehended individual has been notified of suspicion under Article 189.4 of the CCU (extortion that caused property damage on a large scale, committed under martial law). The court chose custody without bail as a measure of restraint.

The investigation is ongoing. The perpetrator is facing up to 12 years in prison.

The SSU Cherkasy Office carried out the operation jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.