In Vinnytsia, the SSU Counterintelligence and the National Police have shut down a large-scale draft evasion scheme.

The SSU detained its organizer - an official of a local medical diagnostic centre who involved over 10 persons in the unlawful activity, primarily, members of the regional military medical commission.

For money, he offered potential conscripts to evade mobilization and flee abroad using fictitious documents on their ‘medical unfitness’ for military service.

Such ‘services’ cost between USD 3,000 and 10,000, depending on the ‘severity’ of the diagnosis and urgency.

After receiving the ‘order’, the organizer went to his accomplices from the local military medical commission, who falsified medical reports for their ‘clients’.

In this way, they created a formal basis to ‘write off’ the evaders from the military register and enable them to legally travel abroad.

The SSU established over 200 episodes committed by the main suspect and his accomplices.

The law enforcement detained the official of a medical diagnostic centre ‘red-handed’ when he received another bribe.

During the searches in the suspect’s car, home and office, investigators found:

• money obtained through corruption;
• documents, records and computer equipment with evidence of the crime.

The detained official has been served a notice of suspicion under Article 332.3 of the CCU (illegal transfer of persons across Ukraine’s state border).

His criminal actions may be additionally qualified in the future under Article 368.2 of the CCU (acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of an unlawful benefit by an official).

The investigation is ongoing to bring to justice all participants of the illegal scheme.

The offenders are facing up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The SSU Office in Vinnytsa region carried out the operation jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.