The SSU has blocked another three channels used by draft evaders to illegally leave Ukraine.

Criminal groups, which included officials of medical institutions and local governments, organized the unlawful schemes.

The organizers offered men of conscription age assistance in illegal migration to neighbouring European states using counterfeit documents or through ‘green border’.

The cost of such ‘services’ ranged from USD 2,500 to 5,000, depending on the way and urgency of departure.

In Odesa region:

The SSU detained individuals who transported their ‘clients’ abroad under the pretext of ‘escorting’ fictitious ‘disabled persons’ to foreign medical institutions.

The organizers provided a car with a driver for the ‘trips’.

However, after crossing the state border, the ‘carriers’ and the disabled persons returned to Ukraine, while the evaders remained abroad.

In addition, the investigation revealed that one of the organisers was an ardent supporter of ruscism. The woman regularly posted her pro-kremlin views and comments in support of russia’s war crimes on the banned social network Odnoklassniki.

Members of another criminal group in Odesa oblast smuggled their ‘clients’ abroad by prepared ‘forest trails’ outside checkpoints.

In Ivano-Frankivsk region:

a criminal group consisting of three offenders was detained for organising an illegal migration channel. They were a health worker, her relative and a former head of unit in Kalush Town Council.

The group sold fake medical certificates of disability to potential conscripts.

The evaders then used the fake documents to travel abroad.

All the exposed organisers of the draft evasion channels have been notified of suspicion. Investigations are ongoing.

The suspects are facing up to 9 years in prison.

The operations were carried out by the SSU Offices in Odesa and Ivano-Frankivsk regions jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.