In Bukovyna, the SSU blocked another channel of Ukrainian men of conscription age illegally departing abroad.

An assistant abbot of the Holy Ascension Monastery of Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Diocese of moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church is involved in organizing the unlawful scheme.

The clergyman offered his assistance to persons liable for military service in illegal transportation across the border bypassing the checkpoints.

The law enforcement agencies documented that in September 2022 he had promised three locals to organize their ‘unimpeded’ departure to Romania.

The cleric’s accomplices were supposed to provide the ‘clients’ with documents for free movement in the EU.

The territory of the monastery was designated as the ‘collection point’ for the draft evaders. From there, they were to be taken abroad.

But instead of the ‘promised’ documents, the men were taken to a border area and shown a part of the ‘green border’ that would supposedly allow them to cross into a neighboring country.

The SSU documented the organizer’s criminal activity and shut down the channel of illegal migration.

The cleric has been served a notice of suspicion under Article 332.2 of the CCU (illegal transportation of persons across Ukraine’s state border). The investigation is ongoing.

As for his accomplice, the court is already considering his case.

The SSU Office in Chernivtsi region exposed the offenders jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.