The SSU has carried out a large-scale special operation to shut down new channels of Ukrainian potential conscripts’ departure abroad.

As a result, the SSU neutralized an interregional criminal group that organized the illegal ‘traffic’.

The criminals offered men of call-up age to covertly travel to the South Caucasus or the EU states through the territory of russia.

The price ranged from USD 2,500 to 8,000 per client, depending on the destination.

For such amounts of money, the criminal group promised to take their ‘clients’ to the occupied Crimea through Zaporizhzhia region, and then over the kerch bridge to russia.

To do this, they established contact with an officer of the border unit of the fsb.

This individual was to provide unimpeded ‘passage’ of the draft evaders through the russian border.

For communication with the russian special service, the offenders used anonymous messengers.

Another ‘route’ offered by the criminals ran through border areas of Sumy region. For transporting conscripts, they planned to use ‘bypass’ routes outside the checkpoints.

One more channel passed through Ukraine’s western regions. The offenders promised to register their ‘clients’ as drivers of agricultural enterprises transporting agricultural products to the EU.

The SSU documented the facts of criminal activity, including handing over money to criminals for covert transportation of two draft evaders to the EU.

During over 20 searches of the suspects’ homes in Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Lviv and Chernivtsi regions, the law enforcement found evidence of criminal activity, in particular mobile phones used for communication with the enemy.

Currently, six members of the group have been notified of suspicion under Article 332.3 of the CCU (organization of unlawful transportation of persons across Ukraine’s state border, committed in an organized group). Court is to decide on the measure of restraint.

The investigation is ongoing.

The SSU Office in Kirovohrad Region carried out the operation under the procedural supervision of the regional prosecutor’s office.