In Odesa, the SSU and the National Police have shut down another channel of illegal departure of persons liable for military service from Ukraine. The scheme was organized by the head of a local company recruiting people for employment abroad.

Under the guise of recruiting civilian staff, the company head looked for potential conscripts and offered them assistance in illegal transfer to the EU.

The suspected individual sold fake disability certificates to his ‘clients’. These ‘wrote them off’ from military registration.

The businessman hid the draft evaders in the cabins of trucks doing international trips. To arrange this, he involved his friend, the head of a local transport company.

The cost of ‘services’ reached USD 8,000 and depended on the method and urgency of departure.

The law enforcement documented the suspects’ criminal activities and detained the organizer when he received money for an illegal transfer of a person liable for military service across the border.

His accomplice, the transport company director, was also apprehended.

Both detainees have been served notices of suspicion under Article 332.3 of the CCU (unlawful transfer of persons across Ukraine’s state border, committed by an organized group).

The suspects are in custody, facing up to 9 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The investigation is underway.

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