The SSU has shut down another four new channels used by Ukrainian men of military age to illegally leave the country.

15 persons from different regions of Ukraine organized such schemes. They offered persons liable for military service to cross the border using fake documents.

The cost of the counterfeits reached USD 8,000. The amount depended on urgency of departure and complexity of the ‘route’.

In Kyiv:

four residents of the capital were detained for faking medical certificates to evade mobilization for ‘health reasons’.

The draft evaders planned to use the fakes to go abroad.

In Chernihiv:

A city council member was exposed who, together with three local businessmen, developed a mechanism of illegal transfer of potential conscripts to the EU.

The fraudsters registered their ‘clients’ as volunteer drivers of a local NGO headed by the city council member. Their personal data was then entered into the Shliakh electronic system, which provided grounds for travelling outside Ukraine.

The deputy himself is currently hiding from justice abroad. He has been notified of suspicion; the decision to put him on wanted list is pending.

In Rivne region:

A criminal group specializing in illegal migration has been neutralized. The group included a lawyer, his assistant and two carriers licensed to operate international flights.

The offenders registered their ‘customers’ as drivers and prepared them to travel to the EU by several vehicles.

In Lviv region:

A 53-year-old local was detained for selling fake medical certificates of unfitness for military service.

Based on the evidence collected, all organizers of the channels have been served notices of suspicion under the following Articles of the CCU:

• 114-1.1 (obstruction of lawful activities of the AFU and other military formations committed by a group of persons upon prior conspiracy);
• 332.3 (illegal transfer of persons across Ukraine’s state border).

The investigations are ongoing to bring the involved to justice. The offenders are facing up to 9 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out jointly with the National Police under the supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.