Police, following a special operation, detained a criminal figure who played a key role in building a criminal hierarchy in the Mykolaiv, Odessa, and Kherson regions. He coordinated criminal groups, controlled penal colonies, and extorted millions in the interests of Russia.
This was reported by the National Police.
The suspect is known by the nickname "Naum." His influence extended over both the regional criminal underworld and penitentiary facilities, where, through controlled individuals, he appointed “watchers,” controlled the “black cash” funds, coordinated drug trafficking, and organized pressure on prisoners and their families.
He had official recognition among Russian “thieves-in-law,” including “Shakro Molodoy,” “Koba Rustavsky,” “Gelani Sedoy,” and others. Under their supervision, "Naum" reported on his activities and handed over part of the criminal proceeds to a fund used to maintain the criminal structure and strengthen its influence. Through these connections, he obtained the status of a “polozhenets,” meaning an exclusive right to influence criminal processes in correctional facilities in southern Ukraine.
During the pre-trial investigation, police conducted 50 sanctioned searches across four regions of the country. They documented numerous episodes of criminal influence, including attempts to raid an agricultural enterprise. A businessman who refused to comply with “Naum’s” demands was threatened to pay $550,000 or voluntarily transfer a property complex in the Odesa region along with 60 trucks. The businessman was warned that refusal would lead to “problems.”
Separately, police recorded large-scale abuses in detention centers and colonies. One documented case involved systematic extortion of money from a detainee who refused to accept criminal “rules.” The man was intimidated with threats of physical violence and isolation. Due to pressure and blackmail, he was forced to transfer funds — totaling more than 86,000 hryvnias. The victim’s mother sent the money to accounts registered under fake names and also topped up the phones of the “watchers.”
Based on the collected evidence, "Naum" was charged under Articles 255-1 and 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — establishing and spreading criminal influence, and extortion in especially large amounts. He has been taken into custody.
Additionally, investigators charged two other individuals — a former and a current “watcher” of the Mykolaiv pre-trial detention center.
The perpetrators face up to 15 years in prison with property confiscation.
