The Security Service of Ukraine has dismantled two large-scale draft evasion schemes in Kyiv and detained the organisers involved.

In one case, investigators exposed the head of a critical infrastructure enterprise in the capital for illegally employing and ‘reserving’ more than 1,000 men subject to military service.

According to the investigation, the men paid 10% of their monthly salaries in exchange for obtaining these positions and evading mobilisation. The suspect ‘earned’ more than UAH 50 million through the scheme over nearly a year and a half.

The organiser worked with an accomplice who arranged meetings with ‘clients’ and handled fund transfers.

The suspects targeted conscripts employed by private companies whose owners sought to shield their staff from military service by fraudulently obtaining reservations.

In a separate case, the SSU detained officials from the psychiatric department of a Kyiv hospital who issued fraudulent disability certifications to draft evaders in exchange for USD 25,000.

The scheme involved the head of the psychiatry department and a subordinate psychotherapist.

They admitted draft dodgers to inpatient treatment and then issued falsified medical documents diagnosing severe mental disorders and intellectual disabilities.

The individuals involved in the schemes have been notified of suspicion under the Articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, including:

• obstruction of the lawful activities of the AFU, committed by a group, by prior conspiracy, during a special period;
• acceptance of unlawful benefits by public officials in especially large amounts.

The perpetrators face up to 12 years in prison and confiscation of property.

The operations were conducted by the SSU Office in Kyiv and the Kyiv region under the procedural supervision of the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office.