The Security Service of Ukraine has dismantled a large-scale mobilisation evasion scheme in Cherkasy set up by local medical workers.

For a fee starting at USD 4,000, the participants in the scheme offered conscripts the opportunity to undergo fictitious inpatient treatment and obtain medical certificates stating ‘poor health’.

The scheme was organised by the head of the regional department of a nationwide medical company. He enlisted six other doctors from various specialties and ambulance workers in the scheme.

The organisers offered conscripts ‘inpatient treatment’ through a sham hospitalisation following a call to the 103 emergency line.

Upon an emergency call from a draft dodger, the ‘necessary’ ambulance workers would arrive and ‘on paper’ arrange for his admission to a medical centre for treatment.

Then, doctors in the relevant departments falsified the clients’ lab tests and examination results to prepare a package of documents indicating the presence of serious illnesses.

Subsequently, the perpetrators granted the conscripts the status of ‘unfit for military service’.

The SSU detained the scheme’s organiser while he was receiving part of a bribe from a ‘client’.

During searches of the offices and homes of all suspects, notes, medical documentation, and smartphones containing evidence of the crime were seized.

SSU investigators have notified all participants in the scheme of suspicion under the Articles of the CCU:

• 28.2, 114-1.1 (obstruction of the lawful activities of the AFU, committed by a group, upon prior conspiracy);
• 369-2.2 (abuse of influence);
• 358.3 (forgery of documents, use of forged documents, committed by a group, upon prior conspiracy).

Two suspects are already in custody. The decision on custody as a measure of restraint for other participants in the scheme is pending.

The suspects face up to 8 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Cherkasy region under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.