Law enforcement officers have exposed a large-scale corruption scheme in the National Police: officials are suspected of “covering” 18+ online content

Among the detainees are the heads of regional police departments

Law enforcement officers have uncovered a large-scale corruption scheme involving officials of the National Police, who, according to the investigation, received undue benefits for not interfering in the activities of persons involved in the creation and distribution of explicit content on the Internet.

This was reported by the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Monthly “subscription fee” for covering up activities

According to the investigation, the officials organized a mechanism for systematically receiving bribes for the so-called “covering” of the activities of persons who worked with 18+ content on online platforms.

For such a “service”, the defendants received every month:

20 thousand US dollars – for the leadership of regional police units;

5 thousand US dollars – for the intermediary.

To hide the scheme, the participants used code names, instant messengers and closed communication channels.

Who was detained in the case

As part of the pre-trial investigation, law enforcement officers detained:

the head of the Main Police Department in Ivano-Frankivsk region;
the deputy head of the Main Police Department in Ivano-Frankivsk region;
the first deputy head of the Main Police Department in Ternopil region;
the deputy head of the Main Police Department in Zhytomyr region;
the driver of the auto company “Center for the Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Units”, who, according to the investigation, acted as an intermediary.
The investigation documented the transfer of tens of thousands of dollars

According to the investigation, in February 2026, the intermediary received 45 thousand US dollars, part of which was intended for the police leadership of one of the regions.

In April, he received another 25 thousand US dollars:

20 thousand US dollars were to be transferred to one of the deputy heads of the regional police department;
5 thousand US dollars remained for the intermediary.

Law enforcement officers also documented the transfer of 20 thousand US dollars to one of the police officers through his close person, who, according to the investigation, was unaware of the criminal intentions.

Later, another transfer of the same amount to the same officer was recorded.

The intermediary was detained while receiving the next tranche

As reported by the Prosecutor General, the intermediary was detained while receiving the next tranche of 25 thousand US dollars.

In this episode:

20 thousand US dollars were also intended for one of the heads of the regional police;
5 thousand US dollars remained for the intermediary.
One of the defendants has already been reported on suspicion

Currently, one of the law enforcement officers has been reported on suspicion under Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – receiving an illegal benefit by an official occupying a responsible position, in an especially large amount.

Investigative actions are being carried out simultaneously in several regional police departments. Law enforcement officers are identifying all participants in the scheme and verifying the role of each official.