In Volyn region, the SSU has shut down a new scheme of mobilization evasion and illegal departure of military-aged men abroad.

According to the investigation, the scheme was organized by a former deputy head of Volyn Region Military Administration.

During her tenure at the administration, she set up a mechanism for smuggling the draft dodgers as ‘drivers transporting humanitarian cargo’.

The cost of the ‘service’ reached USD 5,000 per client.

To operate the ‘scheme’, the organizer engaged the director of a local charity foundation that employed conscripts as drivers for cross-border trips.

In this way, the personal data of the men were entered into the Shliakh information system, which allowed them to travel abroad as ‘volunteers’.

The woman engaged seven other accomplices to search for potential clients and transfer money.

The SSU documented the criminal actions of the persons involved and detained the organizer.

During the searches of the suspects’ homes, the investigators seized mobile phones and laptops with evidence of the crime.

The former official and her accomplices were notified of suspicion under the following Articles of the CCU:

• 255.1 (creation, management of a criminal community or criminal organization, participation in it);
• 28.4, 114-1.1 (obstruction of lawful activities of the AFU, committed by a group, upon prior conspiracy);
• 28.4, 332.3 (illegal transfer of persons across the state border of Ukraine, committed by a criminal organization).

The former official is in custody. She and her accomplices face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.