Instructor Apprehended at Training Center
Agents from Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) have arrested an instructor at a basic military training center in the Rivne region. The instructor was detained while receiving an initial payment of $1,000 for organizing the illegal smuggling of mobilized soldiers off the training grounds. The investigation revealed this was not a solo operation; the instructor had been running a systematic scheme to extract soldiers for a fee since late 2025.
Price and Methods of the Smuggling Scheme
The total price for the illegal service was set at $3,000. According to the arrangement, a mobilized soldier arriving for training was to pay $1,000 directly at the grounds. The remaining $2,000 was to be paid by the soldier's mother after her son was successfully smuggled out. The operation utilized forged passes and documents that mimicked orders from higher-ranking officials to facilitate the illicit exits.
The suspect has been formally charged under an article of the criminal code for organizing desertion under martial law as part of a criminal conspiracy. The court has ordered the suspect to be held in custody without the possibility of bail. If convicted, the charges carry a potential prison sentence of up to 12 years. The investigation is ongoing, with SBI agents examining other personnel at the training center and civilians for potential involvement.
This incident highlights significant challenges to military discipline and legal compliance in Ukraine under martial law. Illegal schemes that involve mobilized personnel can undermine national security and provoke public outrage. The ongoing investigation is crucial for identifying the suspect's potential accomplices and preventing similar crimes in the future.