The Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police have blocked new mobilisation evasion schemes and detained four organisers in several regions of Ukraine.

For between USD 2,000 and 15,000, they offered their ‘clients’ the opportunity to flee abroad outside of checkpoints or using forged documents.

In Odesa region, two local perpetrators were detained. They acted separately but followed a similar scheme, transporting draft dodgers to the border, bypassing checkpoints.

From there, the men were to illegally cross the border on their own, following the instructions they received.

One of the suspects attempted to use a fake military ID and pass to cross the checkpoints unhindered.

In Dnipropetrovsk region, a 45-year-old security guard of a local railway was detained for setting up a printing shop at his home. There, he forged fake medical certificates of disability for conscripts.

In Kyiv region, the law enforcement uncovered a dealer who organized ‘transfer’ of draft evaders to Odesa region, from where they were to cross into Transnistria outside checkpoints.

The detainees have been notified of suspicion under Article 332.3 of the CCU (illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine, committed by an organised group or committed for mercenary motives).

The suspects are in custody and face up to 9 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The operational and investigative actions were carried out by the SSU Offices in Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipropetrovsk regions, together with the National Police, under the procedural supervision of Prosecutors’ offices.