German media reported on abuses by TCC staff in Odesa

In Odesa, staff from Ukraine’s Territorial Recruitment Centers (TCCs) are beating local residents, while Ukrainian police do not react.

The German outlet Berliner Zeitung reports.

According to the newspaper’s sources, the “dirty work”—such as chasing or beating people—is usually carried out by men in civilian clothes, who may be private security guards or TCC employees. Police officers, the sources say, pretend nothing is happening and switch off their body cameras at such moments.

Dozens of alleged abuses by TCCs are reportedly known in Odesa, but the authorities are said to be covering them up and blaming “Russian propaganda” for provocations.

Berliner Zeitung also notes that many Ukrainians allegedly bribe recruitment officials in order to avoid mobilization.

On January 10, Kyrylo Budanov, the new head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office, complained about corruption and abuse of office within the TCC system.