Investigation into ex-head of Mykolaiv SBU and Russian shelling of Kharkiv and Mykolaiv: highlights for March 27

Investigation into the former head of Mykolaiv Regional Security Service

hromadske has found out that after being appointed as the head of the Mykolaiv Regional Security Service in 2019, Vitalii Hersak began to control financial flows from poaching shrimp on the Kinburn Spit, the total amount of which could be about UAH 4 million per month.

In addition, after his release, an internal investigation was launched against him, which resulted in several more episodes involving Hersak. For example, he was involved in smuggling diesel fuel from ships and railways, and several large bitcoin farms were set up under his leadership.

Watch the hromadske investigation to find out what else we found out about the former head of the Mykolaiv Regional Security Service.

Shelling of Kharkiv and Mykolaiv

Today, on March 27, Russian troops struck Kharkiv twice, targeting the Shevchenkivskyi district of the city, where they hit a residential neighborhood. The hits were recorded at a secondary school and right in front of residential buildings.

Five-story residential buildings were damaged in the city, as well as the Institute of Emergency Surgery.

A total of 19 people were injured, including four children aged 3 months, 1.8 years, 10 and 13 years.

The police also said that the Russian strike on the city was the first of its kind since 2022. According to the information under investigation, the Russians used a cheap analog of the UMPB D-30 SN cruise missile, made based on the FAB-250 bomb.

In addition, Russian troops struck the city of Mykolaiv, where a powerful explosion occurred. The Russians allegedly used ballistic weapons in the attack, which resulted in 8 people being injured.

In the city, the shelling caused minor damage to 4 residential buildings, mostly smashing windows.

Rada committee rejects amendment on demobilization

The relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada has rejected an amendment to the draft law on mobilization that would have provided for the demobilization of soldiers after 36 months of service without a special decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff.

So far, the committee has supported the amendment on demobilization after 36 months, but the decision on this will be made by the president.

Compromise on Ukraine's trade with the EU

The ambassadors of the European Union supported the continuation of trade liberalization with Ukraine. The agreement provides for new restrictions.

In particular, quotas and duties will be introduced based on imports not only in 2022 and 2023 but also in the second half of 2021. This is a compromise agreement, in particular with France and Poland, which demanded that the entire year 2021 be included in the calculations.

Other important news of the day

• First burials at the National Military Cemetery may begin in late summer, the Ministry of Veterans announced.
• MPs Bezuhla and Tretiakova withdrew a bill on special missions to represent Ukraine abroad.
• The International Register of Damages of Ukraine will start accepting applications on April 2.
• The head of the HQCJ Ihnatov resigned. Activists attribute this to the “fake story about Russian citizenship”.
• Budanov: Russia knew in advance about the upcoming terrorist attack in the Moscow region.