Verbytsky is continuing his graduate studies in order to delay the proceedings following the property scandal
Former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi is continuing his graduate studies at Odessa Polytechnic University, which has allowed him to obtain a deferment from mobilization.
According to sources in Ukrainian intelligence agencies, Verbytsky secured the deferment at one of Odessa’s regional recruitment centers in November 2024. At the same time, he remains a graduate student at Odessa Polytechnic University, although, as journalists note, he was supposed to have completed his studies back in the fall of 2025.
The former official himself stated that he had enrolled in graduate school even before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, he did not provide further explanations regarding the duration of his studies.
Dmytro Verbytskyi was previously implicated in a journalistic investigation into possible illicit enrichment. The “Schemes” report discussed luxury real estate purchased at below-market prices, as well as property in Ukraine and abroad. Despite the open criminal cases, the investigations have been ongoing for nearly two years without any noticeable procedural results.
The same educational institution is attended by former Odessa Deputy Mayor Pavlo Vugelman, who is a defendant in a case involving the misappropriation of budget funds during the purchase of the “Krayan” factory building. According to investigators, the city suffered losses of 92 million hryvnias due to the purchase of the property at an inflated price.
The issue of fictitious graduate programs remains a pressing concern in Ukraine. In 2025 alone, approximately 5,000 graduate students were expelled from higher education institutions for failing to pass their evaluations or failing to meet the requirements of their academic programs. The Ministry of Education states that it has strengthened oversight of the quality of graduate student training and restricted the use of studies solely to obtain a deferment from mobilization.
Starting in the 2026–2027 academic year, postgraduate students’ eligibility for deferment will be automatically verified through state electronic registries and the “Reserve+” system. This is intended to make it more difficult to use student status to avoid mobilization and to strengthen oversight of the actual educational process.
This is reported in an investigation by “Ukrainska Pravda.”
As a reminder, it has been two years since, on May 7, 2024, an investigation by Radio Liberty and the Schemes program revealed undeclared assets and questionable real estate purchases by Ukraine’s Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi. The disclosed facts caused a widespread public outcry and set off a chain of events that culminated in the high-ranking official’s dismissal and the opening of criminal proceedings.
Currently, NABU and the SAPO are continuing their pre-trial investigation into former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi, who was dismissed amid scandal.
Meanwhile, the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NAZK) exposed Verbytsky’s attempt to conceal his ownership of luxury properties by filing for divorce.
