The Odesa Military Recruitment Center confirmed the death of an employee but denied a methadone overdose

The Odesa Territorial Recruitment Center has confirmed the death of one of its employees, but denied media reports that it was caused by a methadone overdose.

According to the regional military enlistment office, the employee from the Izmail District TRC died from cerebral edema, which they claim was “a delayed consequence” of a previously sustained traumatic brain injury.

The enlistment office described media publications about drug use as “attempts to discredit” the institution.

“Such actions not only disrespect the memory of the deceased, but also create a distorted view of the work carried out by the TRC and Social Support Services — a structure performing a critically important mission in extremely difficult conditions to maintain the country’s defense capability,” the statement said.

Earlier, the media had reported that a TRC employee died in a hospital in Reni, Odesa region, allegedly due to a drug overdose.

It is worth noting that the outlet “Bessarabia Inform,” which first published the overdose claim, also stated that the cause of death was cerebral edema—but added that it occurred after methadone was found in the man’s blood.