Illegal Scheme to Smuggle Conscription-Age Men Uncovered
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), in a joint operation with the Prosecutor's Office, has uncovered and halted an illegal operation smuggling men eligible for military service across the border into Hungary. According to a statement from the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office, the scheme's organizer, who held an official permit to travel abroad, was arrested during the operation. The price for this illegal crossing service was set at $13,000 per person. This crackdown comes as Ukraine enforces strict travel restrictions for men of conscription age following the full-scale invasion.
Route Details and Arrest
Investigators detailed the smuggling route, which involved:
- transporting the individuals to the Zakarpattia region;
- housing them in a hotel;
- and then guiding them to cross the border illegally, avoiding official checkpoints.
The suspect was apprehended while receiving payment, under Article 208 of Ukraine's Criminal Procedure Code. His actions are classified under Part 3 of Article 332 of Ukraine's Criminal Code, which carries a potential sentence of up to eight years in prison with confiscation of property.
In related actions, the SBU and the National Police have blocked similar illegal exit channels. The cost for these other smuggling schemes reportedly ranged from $12,000 to $18,000. Operations targeting these networks were conducted across several Ukrainian regions, with criminals offering forged medical certificates and assistance for illegal border crossings.
Simultaneously, Polish prosecutors have exposed a separate scheme involving Ukrainian citizens attempting to flee on Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) trains. Two Ukrainian train drivers have been detained and charged in Poland. Under the Polish Criminal Code, such crimes are punishable by imprisonment ranging from six months to eight years.
These coordinated actions highlight intensified efforts by law enforcement in both Ukraine and Poland to combat the illegal departure of individuals subject to military service. The exposure of these costly schemes underscores the severe legal risks and the ongoing challenges of upholding martial law. The high prices charged indicate significant demand for these illegal services, which is likely to prompt further crackdowns.