Her son died in the war, her husband couldn’t bear the grief, and their land was taken away: the shocking story of a woman from the Odesa region
11 April 10:12
Natalia Petrivna Mozoleva, from the town of Kiliya in the Odesa region, lost her son, Oleksiy Mozolev, on the front lines in February 2023. A few months later, her husband Oleksiy, who had worked as a liquidator at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, passed away from cancer. When the woman, after this double tragedy, set out to process the inheritance, she was shocked to discover that two land plots no longer belonged to the family.
This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to TSN.
The woman first lost her son on the front lines, and then her husband
Natalia Petrivna says that in 2019, her husband was diagnosed with cancer. The illness was serious and required treatment, but the family managed.
In 2022, when the war began, her son, Oleksiy Mozolev, was mobilized. He was a sapper and was clearing mines in the liberated territories of the Mykolaiv region. However, in February 2023, a tragedy occurred. Oleksiy sustained severe injuries while carrying out a combat mission. Doctors tried to save him, but on February 22, 2023, he passed away. Oleksii was only 27 years old. For defending his homeland, he was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage” of the Third Degree.
“My husband was devastated by the loss of our son. After this tragedy, he could no longer walk. He lived only a few more months and passed away on April 26,” says Natalia Petrivna.
When she began processing the inheritance, she learned that the family no longer owned any land
The woman notes that she was in a terrible state, having lost both her son and her husband at once.
Natalia Petrivna explains that in July she began the process of settling the estate and discovered that her husband’s land shares no longer belonged to the family.
“That’s how I found out about the court’s decision. The situation is this: these people who took possession of the land allegedly lent my husband money for medical treatment, using the land shares as collateral. On March 17, when my husband could no longer walk, let alone speak, he allegedly signed a settlement agreement transferring one share to these lenders. But that’s impossible: both the medical staff who visited us and our neighbors can confirm that in his final days, my husband was in very critical condition and couldn’t sign anything,” says Natalia Mozoleva.
Natalia Petrovna claims that her husband’s signature on the settlement agreement does not resemble his.
“My husband didn’t tell me anything about these loans. On the contrary, when the notary came to our home—because he knew he was dying and wanted to decline the one-time financial assistance due to the loss of our son—he suggested drawing up a will in my name right away. But for some reason, we never did that,” she recalls.
Natalia Petrivna suspects that people may have taken advantage of her state of mind following her double tragedy.
“After the double tragedy in my family, I couldn’t do anything and was in a terrible state. And it’s likely that these people took advantage of exactly that. It pains me deeply that while some sons are defending our country, others are treating their families so cynically,” the woman says.
Natalia Mozoleva also recalls that in 2023, when she began receiving a one-time financial aid payment following her son’s death, she ran into the farmer’s lawyer on the street. She notes that she offered to return the money at the time, but they refused.
“I told them that if the man had borrowed the money, I was ready to return it. But they refused,” the woman says.
Natalia Petrivna says she has contacted the police and hopes for an impartial review of her case.
What Natalia Petrivna’s lawyer says
The woman’s lawyer, Vitaliy Nahirnyak, explains that in Ukraine it is difficult to transfer land ownership, and one method is often used.
“The family has two shares, consisting of four land plots. In 2019–2020, the husband in the Mozoliev family was diagnosed with cancer. In 2021, he borrowed money using the land as collateral. It was a small amount—120,000 hryvnias—but it was critical for them. A receipt was written. Everything is normal; there is no abuse. In Ukraine, it is difficult to transfer land ownership. Therefore, there is this scheme: a person borrows money from a potential buyer and violates the terms of the agreement. Next, the lender goes to court demanding repayment of the debt, but the person has no money. And during the court proceedings, they agree to a settlement where the landowner transfers their property to pay off the debt. Then the lender goes to the registrar and transfers the title,” says the lawyer.
At the same time, Natalia’s son dies; two months later, his father passes away. The court proceedings are ongoing at this time.
“Consequently, the father cannot sign the settlement agreement,” asserts Vitaliy Nahirnyak.
The lawyer emphasizes that he and Natalia Petrivna filed a complaint with the Izmail Police Department and requested that a case be opened regarding the fraud.
“They forwarded it to the Kiliya Police Department, and the statement disappeared. We are keeping a close eye on everything and are taking the matter to court. There is now a court order requiring the Izmail Police Department to initiate criminal proceedings. And indeed, proceedings are being initiated, but not based on Mozoleva’s complaint, but on a police officer’s report. This is being done to launch an investigation not into fraud, but into the possible forgery of documents. This is a minor offense and can simply be dismissed because the statute of limitations has expired,” explains Vitaliy Nahirnyak.
A local farmer denies guilt and recounts his version of events
According to Natalia Petrivna, the lender is a local farmer, Mykhailo Romanenko. He agreed to speak with TSN.ua. The man denies all charges and has his own version of events.
“A pre-trial investigation is currently underway to establish all the facts set forth in Natalia Petrivna Mozoleva’s statement. That is, she presented her facts, and the police requested all the documents from me. I handed over all the documents to determine whether that is his signature or not. I do not see any unlawful actions on my part. He was the one who signed it; I know that for sure. She was in the office; she took that money. And now there’s slander. I can’t comment on the whole situation: an investigation is underway. If I’m guilty, I’ll be punished; if I’m not guilty, I’ll file a complaint with the court and defend my honor and dignity,” said Mykhailo Romanenko.
What the police and local authorities say
According to court and rulings from the Kiliya District Court of the Odesa Region, it is known that the police have launched an investigation under Part 4 of Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
A TSN.ua correspondent attempted to speak with the investigating officer in the case of Natalia Mozoleva, but he declined to comment and advised submitting an information request to the Main Directorate of the National Police in Odesa Oblast.
Natalia Petrivna Mozoleva, after losing her son—a soldier—and her husband, continues to support Oleksiy’s comrades-in-arms who are fighting on difficult sections of the front. She continues to donate to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
She also hopes for justice in her case.
