The SBU blocked a channel of illegal migration to the EU from South Asia. Allegedly, among the foreigners were citizens from countries with high terrorist threat level.

The interregional criminal group included residents of Zakarpattia, Kyiv and Chernivtsi regions. They set up a scheme of illegal transit of foreigners through forest area, without passing through an official border checkpoint. The group involved a native of Afghanistan, who searched for "clients" and transferred them to Ukraine. The cost of the "service" ranged from USD 3,000 to 6,000 per person.

The illegal scheme was operating since November 2020. During the pre-trial investigation, law enforcement officers documented the illegal activities and prevented six attempts to smuggle dozens of foreigners across the state border. Some of the illegal migrants have already been deported from Ukraine.

The SBU conducted a number of searches of the suspects’ residences. Two persons were served suspicion notices of organization of illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine.

The scheme was exposed by the SBU Office in Zakarpattia region together with the State Emergency Service and the Mukachevo Border Detachment under the supervision of the Zakarpattia Region Prosecutor's Office.