10 mobilization evasion schemes and 13 detained: SSU uncovers large-scale network in Ukraine

10 mobilization evasion schemes and 13 detained: SSU uncovers large-scale network in Ukraine

The Security Service, together with the SBI, the National Police, and the prosecutor’s office, blocked another 10 schemes for evading military service and detained 13 organizers of the schemes in various regions of Ukraine.

This is stated in the SSU press release.

For amounts ranging from 2,500 to 30,000 US dollars, the perpetrators helped men avoid mobilization, facilitated the illegal discharge of servicemen from service, and organized the illegal transfer of draft evaders across the state border.

In Mykolaiv region, the head of the children’s affairs department of one of the city councils in the Voznesensk district was exposed. For 2,500 dollars, he promised to help active servicemen “be written off” from military service.

According to the case materials, the suspect helped clients prepare the necessary documents for guardianship over relatives who allegedly required constant care. To carry out the scheme, the perpetrator used his personal connections in the district TRC.

In addition, in Mykolaiv region, the SSU and the National Police detained a driver-mechanic of a military unit who demanded up to 16,000 US dollars from relatives of servicemen for their illegal discharge from service due to “poor health.” To implement the scheme, the suspect planned to use his personal connections among officials of the MMC.

In Vinnytsia, SSU officers, in cooperation with the National Police, exposed two individuals who, for 4,000 US dollars, promised to use their personal connections in the TRC and SS to “resolve the issue” of draft evaders avoiding mobilization.

Also in the city, a fraudster was detained who, for 10,000 dollars, sold men forged medical certificates with “serious diagnoses” to obtain deferment from conscription.

To this end, he involved acquaintances among members of expert teams assessing daily functioning (formerly MSEC) to produce fake medical certificates for evaders, followed by assigning them disability groups.

In addition, in the regional center, the criminal activity of a native of Dnipro was documented. For money, he organized the illegal “transfer” of persons liable for military service across Ukraine’s western border.

It was established that to carry out the scheme, the perpetrator involved an accomplice who is currently outside the country. The dealer “priced” this service at 8,000 US dollars.

In Chernivtsi, SSU cyber specialists, together with the National Police, exposed an employee of a local preschool education institution who, for 10,000 US dollars, involved acquainted doctors to arrange fictitious “inpatient treatment” for draft evaders.

Subsequently, the conscripts were groundlessly assigned a disability group and given the status of unfit for military service.

In Lviv region, another organizer of a channel for the illegal transfer of persons liable for military service across the border was detained.

He turned out to be a resident of the Sambir district who, for 11,000 euros, transported “passengers” in his own car to a designated location near the state border and instructed them on how to cross it illegally on foot outside checkpoints.

Also in the region, based on SSU and SBI materials, a State Border Guard Service inspector will be tried.

For 30,000 US dollars, the official promised persons liable for military service to arrange the necessary documents for their unimpeded travel to the EU through checkpoints. In addition, during searches, the suspect was found to have a hand-held anti-personnel grenade, which he was illegally storing in his own car.

In Lviv, the director and head of a department of the city council’s dental clinic were exposed. They organized fictitious employment of persons liable for military service, followed by their “reservation” from mobilization.

For 5,500 US dollars, they pseudo-employed “clients” as doctors and included them in the list of employees who had “immunity” from conscription.

In Ivano-Frankivsk region, SSU cyber specialists, in cooperation with the National Police, blocked the illegal activities of two officials of the district TRC.

The head of the department and the operator of the division deleted from the electronic register of conscripts data on violations of military registration, thereby removing draft evaders from the wanted list. They also entered false data about the men allegedly completing military service, resulting in their removal from the register of persons liable for military service.

SsU officers documented the illegal activities of the suspects and detained them.

They have now been notified of suspicion in accordance with the crimes committed under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• Part 3 of Article 332 (illegal transfer of persons across the state border of Ukraine);
• Parts 1, 3 of Article 362 (unauthorized actions with information processed in electronic systems);
• Part 1 of Article 368 (acceptance of unlawful benefit by an official);
• Part 2 of Article 28, Parts 2, 3 of Article 369-2 (abuse of influence combined with extortion of unlawful benefit, committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons);
• Part 1 of Article 114-1 (obstruction of the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations);
• Part 1 of Article 263 (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition, and explosives).

The perpetrators face up to 9 years in prison with confiscation of property.

Investigative actions are ongoing to establish all circumstances of the illegal activity and other possible participants in the schemes.