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 in the possession of his family and inner circle, 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 vast wealth, a fleet of luxury cars, or foreign bank accounts that might indicate his personal involvement 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 lives 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 for 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, NABU and the SAPO are continuing their pre-trial investigation into former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi, who was dismissed amid a scandal.
A dissertation against corruption and renting from a friend: the controversial Dmytro Verbytskyi explains how he is evading mobilization and court proceedings
Instead of facing trial, the controversial former official is now calmly sipping coffee and building a political career, complaining to investigative journalists’ cameras: “I don’t live a lavish life, but I don’t live poorly either.” What’s more, it turns out that his luxurious home in the capital is simply an act of incredible friendly generosity. Commenting on the pittance-like rent for a house in an elite cottage community, Verbytskyy looks journalists straight in the eye and assures them: “I’m renting it from a friend of mine. Well, this isn’t a perk; these are average market rates for renting houses, uh, in this region. And this has been verified, uh, by NAZK officials.”
While the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NAZK) seem to be trying to find their way to court for the third year in a row, the former law enforcement official has found a foolproof way to dodge mobilization—he’s become a graduate student and is working on his dissertation. The topic of this academic work by a man with millions in unexplained assets is simply mockingly perfect: “anti-corruption legislation.” Asserting that “I’ve been studying my whole life,” the former prosecutor—who is practically a professor already—has already outlined his plans for the future: “I want to continue working at a university and pass on my knowledge.” And there’s certainly plenty to pass on—for example, a unique scheme for officially earning about $2,000 at the prosecutor’s office while receiving “birthday gifts” from relatives.
“Well, they helped out—they gave me gifts for my birthday, and that was my savings… Well, my mother could have given me $5,000,” the future luminary of science declares without a hint of embarrassment.
When the conversation turns to the origin of his family’s wealth, the classic, rock-solid legend of Ukrainian bureaucracy about wealthy relatives comes into play.
“My father was a captain on a long-haul ship. I think you understand how much a long-haul ship captain earns. Well, starting at $10,000 a month,” Verbytsky boasts. But for some reason, he refused to brag about his new Audi SQ8 worth 100 thousand greenbacks on camera, instantly switching to a tone of aggressive defense:
“Look, this car is registered in my name. You can look it up online. If you want, I’ll come to your studio, I’ll give you an interview, I’ll show you the documents. Show me the questions you want to ask. I’ll answer them. I’ll show you the documents. Conduct the interview objectively. I don’t like provocations like the one you’re pulling right now.” Verbytskyi now plans to scale up all this “anti-corruption” success in the world of big-time politics—he has taken the helm of the district branch of Yulia Tymoshenko’s party. However, even here the logic has gone out the window, because, in the words of the newly minted party member himself: “As of today, whether to go into politics or not—I’m not yet, let’s say, fully ready to go into politics. I am currently a party member and serve as the head of the branch in the Khadzhibeyevsky District. No, I do not sponsor the party.”
Under what exact conditions “Batkivshchyna” took in such a toxic figure remains an open question. For now, Dmytro Anatoliyovych feels so confident and immune from consequences that, instead of sitting in the dock, he’s attacking law enforcement officials himself: “I am currently in a legal battle with the NACP, since the NACP clearly stated in a publication that they found evidence of illicit enrichment on my part, that they identified the elements of a crime, and that all of this was acquired on my instructions.”
The former prosecutor actively flaunts his legal battles on Facebook, personally racking up hundreds of reposts under his own posts to create the illusion of support. However, the public doesn’t find this funny at all, because behind the facade of these absurd justifications and partisan manipulations, a sad reality is clearly evident: the Verbytsky case may simply be being deliberately and artificially stalled behind the scenes by anti-corruption agencies.
Read also: The TV series “I Was Contracted”: Dmytro Verbytskyi has written a new blog post about his millions in assets
