The head of the Odesa regional prosecutor's office reported suspicions against the former head of the Odesa City Council for official negligence, specifically for improper performance of official duties that led to the loss of lives (Part 3 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

According to the investigation, the former official improperly performed his official duties and failed to ensure the full functioning of the engineering networks in the city.

As a result, for many years, the streets of Odesa regularly experienced flooding. At the same time, being aware of this systematic problem, the suspect did not take the measures provided for by his authority for the timely repair of the drainage system, water drainage, and drainage systems.

In addition, on the day of the tragedy, September 30, 2025, the mayor did not organize proper notification and information for the population about the threat of an emergency situation, including various social groups.

He also failed to ensure the readiness of civil protection management bodies.

As a result of the flooding of part of the city, caused by the inability of the drainage system to remove water from the streets, nine people died, including a nine-year-old child.

Also, within the framework of this criminal proceeding, the prosecutor's office reported suspicions of official negligence that caused the loss of lives against another 8 officials of the Odesa City Council and subordinate communal enterprises under Part 3 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Among the suspects are: two deputy mayors, the directors of the Department of Municipal Economy and the Department of Municipal Security, the director, the head of the structural unit, and two chief engineers of the Municipal Enterprise "City Roads".

Currently, the issue of choosing preventive measures for all suspects and the suspension of the acting officials is being resolved.

A number of judicial examinations are ongoing in the case.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Investigative Unit of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Odesa region, with operational support from the Criminal Investigation Department in the Odesa region of the National Police of Ukraine.