Dmytro Verbytskyi is writing a dissertation on anti-corruption legislation, but he drives a car with license plates from another vehicle
Former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi confirmed to reporters that he is continuing his graduate studies at Odesa Polytechnic University, which has allowed him to obtain a deferment from mobilization. He has also launched a political career and considers his residence at an estate in an upscale neighborhood in Kyiv to be lawful.
Verbitsky made these remarks in an interview with TSN.
On his wealth
“I don’t live a lavish lifestyle, but I don’t live poorly either,” said former prosecutor Verbytsky, who two years ago was found to have undeclared assets and questionable real estate purchases, while those in his inner circle were seen driving new, expensive cars worth millions of hryvnias.
He confirmed that he lived in the upscale Konik cottage community in Kyiv, paying a monthly rent of 48,000 hryvnias. According to Verbytskyi, this is a standard market rate.
“I rent it from a friend. And this isn’t a special privilege; these are the average market rates for renting homes in this region. And this has been verified by NACP staff,” Verbytsky assured the journalist.
However, the team behind the “Hapuga.UA” program analyzed rental prices for similar two-story estates in the Konik neighborhood and found that the average price is actually 270,000 per month.
Verbytskyi arrived at the meeting with the journalist in an Audi worth $100,000. But he refused to show the car on camera. He left the meeting in a lower-class car, displaying the license plate… of a different vehicle.
Incidentally, while serving as deputy prosecutor general, Verbytsky failed to declare assets worth approximately 30 million hryvnias, yet he clearly remembers his own plot in a cemetery in Odesa. According to Verbytsky, the right to erect grave markers automatically equates a grave to real estate, which must be disclosed to the Ukrainian people—which is why he included it in his declaration.
The UA.News editorial team conducted its own journalistic investigation into the controversial prosecutor’s assets. It turned out that he did indeed omit a great deal from his declaration, even though he is trying to prove in court that the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NAZK) and investigative journalists are mistaken.
On Education
Verbytskyi stated that he already holds three higher education degrees but is continuing his studies, dreaming of a career in teaching.
“I already have three higher education degrees. First, I graduated from the Maritime Academy. Second, I graduated from the Academy under the President of Ukraine, where I received a degree in economics. And my third degree: I also completed a master’s program at the National Academy of the Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine. I’m currently a doctoral student. In other words, I’ve been studying my whole life. I’m currently preparing my dissertation on the topic of ‘Anti-Corruption Legislation.’ I want to continue working at a university and pass on my knowledge,” Verbytskyi said, explaining his thirst for knowledge.
Earlier, UA.News reported that the controversial prosecutor Verbytskyi had been enrolled in a full-time doctoral program 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.
At the same time, in his responses to media inquiries, G. Oborsky refused to provide information regarding D. Verbytsky’s actual academic performance, fulfillment of his individual study plan, and class attendance—which suggests signs of a cover-up of a potentially fictitious enrollment intended to preserve his right to a deferment from conscription.
Such actions by the educational institution may constitute corruption. Therefore, on June 26, 2026, the editorial staff of UA.News submitted a request to the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NAZK) regarding possible corruption offenses, abuse of official position, and aiding in the evasion of mobilization by individuals in the category of former high-ranking officials by the leadership of the National University “Odessa Polytechnic.”
Political Career
“I am currently a member of the party. I serve as the head of the local chapter in the Khadzhibey district. But I haven’t yet decided for myself whether to enter politics or not. I’m not entirely ready to enter politics,” Verbytsky said.
He is referring to Yulia Tymoshenko’s “Batkivshchyna” party, where his partner, Khristina Ilnytska, is also pursuing a political career. She is actively collecting letters of appreciation “for her significant contribution to the education of the younger generation, her support of talented and creative youth, and her collaboration with the teaching community of Odesa,” which, in her opinion, may help her become a member of parliament.
As a reminder, in early July 2024, the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption identified signs of a criminal corruption offense in the actions of former Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine Dmytro Verbytskyi. New evidence points to his illegal enrichment by nearly 29 million hryvnias.
Verbytskyi is also linked to influence-peddling schemes featured in the so-called “Mindich tapes.” This is stated in a post by politician Boryslav Bereza, published amid renewed discussions of the recordings, which mention the names of officials and businesspeople and discuss personnel decisions within government agencies.
Verbytsky attempted to challenge the allegations in court. However, the Kyiv District Administrative Court dismissed his lawsuit against the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NAZK), affirming the agency’s right to monitor the prosecutor’s lifestyle and that of his relatives. Subsequently, the Sixth Administrative Court of Appeal opened proceedings on Verbytskyi’s appeal to review this decision.
Earlier, the editorial staff of UA.NEWS submitted an official request to the Kyiv District Administrative Court (KDAC). Journalists are trying to determine why the materials in the high-profile case involving former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi have not yet been transferred to the appellate court, which may indicate attempts to delay the proceedings.
It is currently known that criminal case No. 42024000000000788 is being investigated against Dmytro Verbytskyi. The case was entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations (URPI) on June 18, 2024—precisely during the period of his scandalous dismissal from the Office of the Prosecutor General. In a response from the Office of the Prosecutor General to an inquiry from the online media outlet UA.NEWS, it was revealed that the investigation into the case of the former high-ranking official has now been transferred to law enforcement authorities in the capital. The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv, while the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office is providing procedural oversight.
A complete chronology of the scandals involving Dmytro Verbytskyi can be found at this link.
