Widespread Draft Evasion Scheme Uncovered in 'Guardian' Operation
Ukraine's National Police have formally charged 110 individuals as part of a major crackdown on military draft evasion. The operation, codenamed 'Guardian', targeted individuals who allegedly used forged medical certificates and false documents claiming they were caregivers for disabled persons to obtain deferrals from military service. This crackdown comes as Ukraine continues to enforce conscription to bolster its armed forces against the ongoing Russian invasion. Authorities conducted 128 searches across 20 regions of Ukraine and the capital city of Kyiv.
Searches and Seized Evidence
Law enforcement officers documented dozens of cases involving counterfeit medical paperwork. The raids were carried out in the following regions:
- Vinnytsia
- Volyn
- Dnipropetrovsk
- Donetsk
- Zhytomyr
- Zakarpattia
- Zaporizhzhia
- Ivano-Frankivsk
- Kyiv
- Kirovohrad
- Lviv
- Mykolaiv
- Odesa
- Poltava
- Rivne
- Sumy
- Ternopil
- Kharkiv
- Khmelnytskyi
- Chernihiv
- City of Kyiv
During the searches, police seized cash, mobile phones, computer equipment, medical stamps, documentation showing signs of being fabricated, and various draft notes.
Investigators from the Kyiv police managed to dismantle another draft evasion scheme, whose alleged main organizer is a 30-year-old native of the Chernihiv region. The 'Guardian' operation is ongoing, and law enforcement continues to take measures to identify conscripts and military personnel attempting to avoid service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The National Police state that the suspects submitted the falsified documents to the relevant authorities to obtain mobilization deferrals or to secure an early termination of their military service.
The criminal offenses recorded during the investigation include charges under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Article 336, Part 1 (Evasion of conscription during mobilization)
- Article 358, Part 3 & 4 (Forgery of documents and their use)
- Article 190, Part 1 (Fraud)
- Article 332, Part 2 & 3 (Illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine)
- Article 407, Part 5 (Unauthorized abandonment of a military unit or place of service)
- Article 409, Part 4 (Evasion of military service by self-mutilation or other means)
Operation 'Guardian' highlights the active efforts of Ukrainian law enforcement to combat draft evasion, a critical issue for the nation's military capacity. The detection of forged documents and the apprehension of those trying to avoid service is intended to support the integrity of the mobilization process. This situation underscores the challenges of maintaining legal order and national commitment during a prolonged period of conflict.