Along with Verbytskyi, Trukhanov’s former deputy, Vugelman, is in hiding from the army under the guise of a graduate student at Odessa Polytechnic University
Odessa National Polytechnic University found itself at the center of a major scandal after reports emerged that several former high-ranking officials, including Dmytro Verbytskyi and Pavlo Vugelman, were among its graduate students.
Earlier, UA.NEWS learned that former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi had become a graduate student at Odessa Polytechnic University and received a deferment from military mobilization while studying on a state-funded scholarship. 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 about D. Verbytsky’s actual academic performance, fulfillment of his individual study plan, and class attendance—which may indicate an attempt to conceal a potentially fictitious enrollment aimed at preserving his right to a deferment from conscription.
However, as it turned out, he is not the only former official on the university’s list of graduate students. Among the students is also Pavlo Vugelman, known in Odesa politics by the nicknames “Pashte” and “Cosmonaut.” He previously served as deputy mayor of Odesa under Hennadiy Trukhanov and was a long-time member of the “Trust the Deeds” team. This was reported by the Telegram channel “Odesa Layouts.”
The appearance of several former officials among the graduate students has raised questions among the public. People are noting that after leaving government positions, some officials suddenly develop an interest in academic work.
As a reminder, in early July 2024, the National Agency for Corruption Prevention 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), upholding 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 overseeing the proceedings.
In addition, Dmytro Verbytskyi recently gave an interview to TSN, in which he confirmed to journalists 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 of Kyiv to be lawful.
A complete chronology of the scandals involving Dmytro Verbytskyi can be found at this link.
