Under the procedural guidance of the Kharkiv District Prosecutor's Office of the Kharkiv Region, a 52-year-old man has been notified of suspicion for receiving illegal benefits for himself and a third party for influencing the decision-making of persons authorized to perform state functions, combined with extortion of such benefits, committed by a group of individuals in conspiracy (Part 2 of Article 28, Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

According to the investigation, at the end of May 2025, a resident of Kharkiv offered a citizen of the Russian Federation assistance in obtaining a residence permit despite the expiration of the foreigner's legal stay in Ukraine.

During a personal meeting, the Kharkiv resident promised the man that he would influence officials of the State Migration Service (SMS) and guaranteed the successful processing of documents.

For the illegal service, he demanded nearly 4,500 US dollars. At the same time, he assured that without his mediation and the transfer of the specified amount of money, it would be impossible to resolve the issue independently or by other means.

Over the next few months, the man accompanied the "client" to the migration service units. To demonstrate his "connections," the man personally communicated with employees in their offices and advised the client on the necessary procedures, including paying fines and translating documents.

In addition, he involved an acquaintance in the scheme, who for a separate reward allowed the registration of the foreigner's place of residence in his apartment.

On January 9, 2026, law enforcement officers detained the suspect in Kharkiv under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine while he was receiving the last part of the illegal benefit.

In total, the Kharkiv resident managed to receive from the citizen of the Russian Federation nearly 4,500 US dollars, which at the official exchange rate of the NBU amounts to about 200,000 hryvnias.

The prosecutor insisted on detention in court; however, the court refused, choosing house arrest as a preventive measure for the suspect. The prosecution disagrees with this decision and is preparing an appeal.

The investigation is ongoing, and the involvement of SMS employees in the committed crime is being verified.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by investigators of the SV VP No. 2 of the Kharkiv District Police Department No. 1 of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Kharkiv Region with operational support from the Kharkiv Department of the Department of Internal Security of the National Police of Ukraine and the Department of Operational Search Activities of the Eastern Regional Directorate of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

Note: according to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a lawful manner and established by a court verdict.