The National Police of Ukraine has successfully dismantled the operations of a «watchman» overseeing southern regions, who managed criminal groups, controlled prisons, and extorted large sums of money for the benefit of the Russian Federation. The individual known as «Naum» is considered a key figure in establishing a criminal hierarchy in the Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Kherson regions. His influence extended to both the criminal environment and correctional facilities, where through his subordinates, he appointed «watchmen», controlled financial operations, coordinated drug trafficking, and organized pressure on inmates and their families.

Naum was recognized among Russian «thieves in law», including figures like «Shakro Molodoy» and «Gelani Syedoy». Under their supervision, Naum reported on his activities and funneled part of his criminal earnings into a fund that supported the criminal structure. Through these connections, he attained the status of «ploshenny», granting him exclusive rights to influence criminal processes in correctional institutions in southern Ukraine.

His illegal activities were documented and exposed by investigators from the Main Investigative Department of the National Police in collaboration with operatives from the Strategic Investigations Department. During the pre-trial investigation, police conducted 50 authorized searches across four Ukrainian regions. As a result of the special operation, the «watchman» was apprehended under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.

Among the documented episodes of criminal influence was an attempt to seize an agricultural enterprise. A businessman who refused to comply with Naum's orders was demanded to pay $550,000 or face the forced transfer of property in the Odesa region along with 60 trucks. If he declined, he was promised «troubles».

Separately, police documented extensive abuses in pre-trial detention centers and prisons. Notably, one case involved systematic extortion from an inmate who refused to follow the criminal «rules». He was intimidated, threatened with physical violence, and as a result, was forced to transfer over 86,000 hryvnias. His mother sent money to accounts held by proxies or topped up the phones of the «watchmen».

Based on the gathered evidence, the individual has been notified of suspicion for establishing and spreading criminal influence (Article 255-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and large-scale extortion (Article 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Additionally, two other individuals have been notified of suspicion—former and current so-called «watchmen» for the Mykolaiv pre-trial detention center. Naum has been taken into custody.

The penalties for the charges carry sentences of up to fifteen years in prison with asset confiscation.

Documentary measures were conducted in cooperation with the State Criminal Executive Service of Ukraine. The procedural supervision of the criminal proceeding is carried out by the Office of the Attorney General.