Odessa Polytechnic University has confirmed the status of former Deputy Prosecutor General Verbytsky as a graduate student, but is withholding information about his academic performance
Dmytro Verbytskyi, the former Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine who is implicated in a high-profile corruption scandal, is indeed enrolled as a full-time graduate student at the National University “Odessa Polytechnic,” which entitles him to a deferment from mobilization.
This information was officially confirmed by the university’s rector, Hennadiy Oborskyi, in response to a journalistic inquiry from the online media outlet UA.NEWS. A copy of the relevant document has been provided to the editorial office.
According to the university’s rector, Verbytsky was admitted to the first year of the full-time program back in 2022 on a general basis, in accordance with the national university’s admission rules. At the same time, reports from sources claiming that the former prosecutor allegedly occupies a state-funded spot have not been confirmed: he is pursuing his third academic degree, a Doctor of Philosophy, on a contract basis—“at the expense of private individuals.” He is studying in the program 281, “Public Management and Administration,” and “as of now, he continues his studies.”
Despite confirming the fact that Verbytsky is enrolled, the administration of “Odesa Polytechnic” has effectively concealed information about the former official’s actual academic performance and attendance. Rector Oborsky ignored journalists’ direct questions about whether Verbytsky is fulfilling his individual study plan, who his academic advisor is, and what stage his dissertation is at. “All other questions do not require further answers,” the official letter signed by the rector laconically states, which contradicts the provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Access to Public Information.” In addition, the university president avoided answering questions regarding the issuance of certificates for the Territorial Military Commissariat, noting that in its relations with military commissariats, the university “acts in accordance with the provisions of current legislation.”
As a reminder, Dmytro Verbytskyi became the subject of a large-scale investigation by the “Schemes” program and the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NAZK), which uncovered evidence of the official’s illegal enrichment amounting to 29 million hryvnias. In particular, luxury property and real estate in the “Konik” cottage community were found to be owned by his family and close associates, the value of which significantly exceeded the prosecutor’s official income. Amid public outcry, Verbytsky was dismissed from his position as Deputy Prosecutor General in June 2024. Currently, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) are continuing their pre-trial investigation in this criminal case.
Subsequently, according to sources in the special services, it became known that in November 2024, the former high-ranking official obtained a deferment from military conscription at one of the district military registration and enlistment offices in Odesa (the Khadzhibey District Military Registration and Enlistment Office and the Special Forces), taking advantage of his status as a full-time graduate student. Verbitsky himself had previously stated that he had enrolled in graduate school even before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, but he did not provide any detailed explanations regarding the duration of his studies.
The university administration’s secrecy and unwillingness to respond to impartial press inquiries regarding potential corruption risks surrounding the former prosecutor seem strange, to say the least, since the head of “Odesa Polytechnic” himself, Hennadiy Oborskyi, leads a completely transparent and straightforward financial life. According to an analysis of his annual declaration for 2025, the civil servant does not possess sky-high wealth, a fleet of luxury cars, or foreign bank accounts that might indicate his personal interest in dubious schemes. However, as the head of an institution officially classified as having a high risk of corruption, the rector for some reason prefers to issue bureaucratic form letters rather than publicly clearing the university’s reputation.
Stable Income and Real Estate from the Past: What’s in the Rector’s Declaration
According to data from the official registry of asset declarations, Hennadiy Oborskyi resides in Odesa with his wife, Larisa, and continues to perform his official duties. The university president owns three apartments, purchased long before the full-scale invasion: the first, with an area of 91.2 m², is wholly owned by him and was purchased back in June 2006 for 252,500 hryvnias. The second apartment (42 m²) was registered in Oborsky’s name in December 2016. The third, with an area of 29.1 m², has been jointly owned by the couple since December 1995. In addition, since 2008, the rector has owned a plot of land measuring 800 m².
When it comes to personal property, the head of Odessa Polytechnic University also shows restraint—he drives a 2012 Toyota RAV4, purchased in December 2016 for 194,000 hryvnias.
Oborsky’s main source of income in 2025 was his salary at the university, which amounted to 639,716 hryvnias. In addition, he received 283,320 hryvnias in pension payments from the Main Directorate of the Pension Fund of Ukraine in the Odesa region, while his wife’s pension payments totaled 35,830 hryvnias. The rector’s financial disclosure statement contains no information about bank accounts, corporate holdings, or other financial assets, confirming that his wealth consists exclusively of real estate and his official salary. It is also known that Oborsky is a member of the general assembly of the “Polytechnic Odesa” rugby club.
Although the position of rector falls under the category of executive positions in public-law legal entities and is considered a position with a high level of corruption risk, Hennadiy Oborskyi is not classified as a national public figure and has no assets abroad.
Meanwhile, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) are continuing their pre-trial investigation into former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi, who was dismissed amid a scandal.
Read also: The series “I Was Targeted”: Dmytro Verbytskyi has written a new blog post about his millions in assets
