The Security Service of Ukraine has dismantled a large-scale draft evasion scheme in Kharkiv. A criminal group trading in fake guardianship of minors to evade conscription has been dismantled.

As the investigation revealed, the suspects unjustifiably granted draft dodgers sole guardianship over their children. The fake ‘single parents’ then submitted documents to the Territorial Recruitment Offices to obtain a deferment.

The scheme was organised by a local lawyer. She enlisted two of her subordinates and an assistant to a judge at one of Kharkiv’s district courts in the illegal activity.

They first forged certificates stating that the conscript’s wife had supposedly withdrawn from caring for the child and was not participating in the child’s upbringing.

To fake the documents, the perpetrators enlisted the help of an acquaintance who was the head of the Kharkiv City Council’s district department for children’s affairs.

Next, based on the social services’ fake findings, the lawyer prepared a lawsuit on behalf of the father to strip the mother of her parental rights, making him the sole family member raising the child.

At this stage, the court official ‘stepped in’, facilitating the unimpeded consideration of the case and the ‘correct’ decision.

The SSU documented the crime and detained the organiser of the scheme and her accomplices.

Smartphones and documents containing evidence of the crime were seized during the searches.

SSU investigators and the Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine notified the four individuals involved of suspicion under several Articles of the CCU:

• 27.3, 28.3, 114-1.1 (organising the obstruction of the lawful activities of the AFU, committed by an organized group);
• 27.3, 28.3, 369-2.2 (organising the abuse of influence, committed by an organised group).

The suspects face up to 8 years in prison. The investigation is ongoing.

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