Chief of Odesa regional recruitment center and Peresypsky district recruitment center removed from official duties – Ground Forces
The Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have announced the removal from official duties of the leadership of the Odesa Regional Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center, as well as the chief of the Peresypsky district Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center in Odesa, after servicemen from the Peresypsky recruitment center’s notification groups were detained by the Internal Security Department of the Security Service of Ukraine.
"By decision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the chief of the Odesa Regional Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center, as well as the chief of the Peresypsky district Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center, have been removed from the performance of their official duties. Additionally, the Chief of the Main Directorate of the Military Law Enforcement Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been instructed to conduct an official investigation into this fact," the Ground Forces reported on their Telegram channel.
The Ground Forces stated that in connection with the detention of servicemen from the notification groups of the Peresypsky recruitment center, an official investigation has been launched within the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They emphasized that any violations of legislation, abuse of official powers, or illegal actions are unacceptable and must receive an appropriate legal assessment. "Full cooperation is being provided to law enforcement agencies in conducting relevant audits and investigations," the report said.
As reported, a detention involving shooting and a chase took place in Odesa on April 21 involving SBU officers and presumably recruitment center staff.
Meanwhile, information appeared in Ukrainian media that the detainees were employees of the Peresypsky district recruitment center who allegedly demanded $30,000 from a man with a deferment and Combatant Status and threatened him with mobilization if he did not provide the money. The man turned to State Security Service (SBU) officers for help. They detained the recruitment center employees when they dragged the man into a minibus and threatened to beat him if he did not hand over the money immediately. Bats, brass knuckles, and foreign currency were found in the possession of the detainees.
The Odesa Regional Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center confirmed the fact of the detention of servicemen from one of the city’s district recruitment centers by law enforcement representatives and declared its readiness for openness and objectivity in the investigation. At the same time, the Odesa center urged the public and media to refrain from premature conclusions and the dissemination of unverified information. As noted, additional clarifications will be provided after official data is received and clarified.