The National Police of Ukraine strengthens investigative work
The National Police of Ukraine is intensifying its investigative work regarding abuses in the activities of Territorial Recruitment Centers (TCC) during the registration of conscription and decision-making by military medical commissions (MMC). Acting Head of the National Police Maxim Tsutskiridze reported that 76 heads of TCC of various levels have already been informed of the suspicion, and circumstances of possible illegal conscription of nearly 2,500 reservists are being checked. As a result of this work, 6,500 illegal decisions of MMC have been canceled.
Investigations and results
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the National Police has investigated 428 criminal proceedings related to illegal assistance in evading military service, fictitious medical conclusions, and organizing illegal border crossings. Among these proceedings, 105 have already been sent to court. During the investigation, more than 83,500 MMC decisions were seized, and under Article 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, suspicion has been reported for 6,417 criminal offenses.
'It is fundamentally important for me that the law applies equally to both the reservist and the official responsible for mobilization or making decisions as part of the MMC. Position, rank, and any resources cannot be a shield from responsibility. But it is equally important that responsibility is always individual and based on evidence,' said Maxim Tsutskiridze.
Moreover, the acting Head of the National Police emphasized the need to check each episode and documents to gather evidence that will withstand examination in court. 'In complex cases, this work can take months, sometimes even years,' he added. Among the figures involved are employees and heads of TCC, with whom active work is ongoing. 'Every fact of using official powers for personal gain or illegal exemption from mobilization must receive proper legal assessment,' summarized Maxim Tsutskiridze.
It has been noted that the operation 'Honest Draft' continues, and the State Bureau of Investigation is conducting large-scale searches in over 100 TCCs across Ukraine. At the same time, military ombudsman Reshetilova stated that there is no progress in TCC reform, underscoring the importance of further efforts in this direction.
Increasing attention to abuses in the military recruitment system is an important step to ensure justice during mobilization in wartime. The operation 'Honest Draft' and the active work of the National Police may influence public trust in military structures, as well as encourage TCC reform, which, according to the military ombudsman, remains unfinished. This underscores the need for comprehensive changes in the system to prevent future abuses and ensure transparency in mobilization processes.
The ongoing investigations into the Territorial Recruitment Centers (TCC) highlight broader issues within the military conscription system. As the National Police intensifies its efforts, it aligns with recent concerns raised by the Ombudsman regarding systematic violations at these centers. For a deeper understanding of these critical issues and the calls for comprehensive reforms, you can read more about the need for overhaul in military recruitment practices.