The SSU Counterintelligence jointly with the National Police of Ukraine and the Security and Intelligence Service of the Republic of Moldova have dismantled a transnational criminal group that acted for russia’s benefit.

The perpetrators were illegally transporting Ukrainian conscription-aged men out of Ukraine.

The illegal route ran from Odesa region to the self-proclaimed Transnistria, and then to Moldova.

A ‘draft evasion ticket’ cost up to USD 5,000, depending on the urgency of departure.

The traffickers drove their ‘clients’ to the border with unrecognized Transnistria and then led them along forest paths away from checkpoints.

As a result of a joint special operation, the law enforcement agencies detained two suspects in Moldova when they were accompanying a group of draft evaders. Another two members of the network were exposed in Odesa as they were preparing to take another group of potential recruits abroad.

According to the investigation, the criminal group was organized by two residents of unrecognized Transnistria who hold Ukrainian and Moldovan passports and are also on the radar of russian intelligence services.

The organizers involved accomplices from Moldova and Ukraine in the operation of the illegal migration channel.

To find ‘clients’, the group set up several Telegram channels to offer mobilization evasion for money.

To hide the illegal proceeds, the smugglers asked the evaders ‘pay for services’ using crypto wallets.

As a result of the joint investigation, all members of the network will be notified of suspicion under Article 332.2 of the CCU (illegal transportation of persons across Ukraine’s state border).

Two organizers, who are hiding in the so-called ‘Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic’, will be served suspicion notices in absentia.

The investigation is underway to bring to justice all those involved in the activities of this transnational criminal group.

The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.