The Security Service of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the National Police have uncovered additional schemes aimed at evading mobilisation and detained their organisers in several regions of Ukraine.

In Kyiv, the SSU’s Kyiv Office, in cooperation with the State Bureau of Investigation and in coordination with the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, exposed National Guard officials who, in exchange for bribes, transferred mobilised personnel to rear units.

According to the investigation, a headquarters staff member and a deputy battalion commander of the National Guard were involved in the scheme. To act as an intermediary, they recruited a retired serviceman they knew.

For payment, they offered their ‘clients’ transfers from frontline areas to military units located far from the combat zone.

In Kremenchuk, the SSU’s Military Counterintelligence exposed the head of a district Territorial Recruitment Centre and two accomplices who unlawfully removed draft evaders from military registration on medical grounds. The perpetrators used their connections within the Military Medical Commission to operate the scheme.

In Lviv oblast, the SSU Military Counterintelligence detained a representative of the headquarters of a Ukrainian Armed Forces training centre. For bribes, he promised mobilised personnel that after completing training they would serve in rear units instead of being deployed to the front line.

In Cherkasy, another suspect was detained. He turned out to be the owner of a pawnshop chain who, for USD 10 000, arranged sham marriages with persons with disabilities. This allowed ‘clients’ to obtain guardian status and evade mobilisation.

In this way, individuals liable for military service sought to obtain deferments from conscription. They also planned to travel abroad under the pretext of accompanying a ‘spouse’ with a disability for medical treatment.

The organisers of the schemes have now been notified of suspicion under several Articles of the CCU, including:

• 332.3 – illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine;
• 27.2, 336.1 – aiding and abetting evasion of military service during mobilisation or during a special period;
• 27.5, 368.3 – aiding and abetting an official in obtaining an unlawful benefit;
• 369-2.3 – abuse of influence.

The suspects face up to 10 years’ imprisonment and confiscation of property.

The operations were carried out under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutors’ Offices.