Over the week, the SSU neutralized another 3 schemes used by Ukrainian citizens of military age to illegally leave Ukraine.

As a result of operations in Ukraine’s western regions, 16 people involved in organizing such channels were detained.

For money, they offered to assist persons liable for military service in departing from Ukraine using fake medical certificates and bypassing checkpoints.

The cost of such ‘services’ reached EUR 12,000.

In Zakarpattia region:

a criminal group consisting of 12 members and specializing in illegal migration to EU states was neutralized.

They drove their clients to a site a few kilometres near the border line and then accompanied them on foot along a prepared route.

During the searches of the suspects, investigators found unregistered small arms with ammunition and an RGD combat grenade.

In Ivano-Frankivsk region:

another channel for draft evaders’ escape abroad was blocked. It was organized by 4 local residents, who counterfeited certificates of the local military medical commission on unfitness for military service.

Using the fake papers, draft evaders were taken across the border.

In Ternopil region:

The law enforcement exposed a criminal group, which ‘enrolled’ potential conscripts as drivers to a local company that supposedly carried out international transportation.

The evaders were able to illegally travel abroad as drivers, although some of them did not even have a driver’s license.

Based on the collected evidence, all the offenders were notified of suspicion under Article 332.3 of the CCU (illegal transportation of persons across Ukraine’s state border, committed by an organized group). The suspects are facing up to 9 years in prison.