Joint Operation by Ukraine's Security Service and National Police
In a coordinated operation, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) and National Police have shut down eight separate channels used for illegal border crossing and draft evasion. The crackdown resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals, including officials from regional recruitment centers (TCC), military personnel, and medical workers. The criminal schemes offered services ranging in price from $3,000 to $16,500. This action comes as Ukraine enforces strict mobilization laws under martial law, aiming to curb corruption that undermines national defense.
Details of the Arrests and Criminal Schemes
Those detained were operating illicit schemes across multiple regions of Ukraine:
- In Kharkiv, a contract soldier was arrested for offering escape routes to the European Union through forested areas in western regions.
- In Lviv, authorities detained the head of a unit at a Ukrainian Armed Forces training center.
- In Chernivtsi, seven individuals were exposed for forging documents related to fictitious enlistment.
- In the Khmelnytskyi region, the organizer of a scheme selling fake certificates of third-degree disability was arrested.
- In the Zhytomyr region, two TCC officials and a former colleague were detained for removing individuals from wanted lists in exchange for bribes.
- In the Vinnytsia region, a 49-year-old unemployed man was arrested for transporting evaders to the border.
- In the Poltava region, an offender was exposed for collaborating with a doctor to produce fake medical certificates for relatives.
- In the Donetsk region, an entrepreneur was arrested for trading in forged medical certificates.
All 16 detainees have been notified of suspicion under several articles of Ukraine's Criminal Code, including bribery, illegal transportation of persons across the border, and obstruction of the Armed Forces' activities. The suspects face up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.
This operation marks a significant step in combating illegal mobilization evasion and unauthorized border crossing schemes under martial law conditions.
This special operation underscores the serious measures being taken by Ukrainian law enforcement to counter illegal schemes during wartime.
Source: Official website of the Security Service of Ukraine
Given the ongoing mobilization and travel restrictions, such criminal activities can significantly impact state security. The arrests demonstrate an intensification of the fight against corruption in the military sphere and tighter enforcement of legislation under the state of emergency.