Ukrainian Security Service exposes an organized scheme of draft dodgers fleeing Ukraine through Rivne region for a fee of 150,000 hryvnias
In Rivne region, officers of the Security Service of Ukraine have completed an investigation into a large and well-established scheme of illegal transportation of draftees abroad. This was the result of deliberate efforts by law enforcement officials, who uncovered details of an organized criminal mechanism that facilitated draft evasion by ferrying individuals across the Ukrainian-Polish border. According to the Security Service of Ukraine in Rivne region, a group of local residents was detained for conspiracy, offering services to transfer people out of the country for at least 150,000 hryvnias per person. This amount is significant and served as the main financial incentive for the organizers and their clients, among whom were potential draftees and their acquaintances. The investigation established that the scheme was carefully planned, with responsibilities divided among participants. One group was responsible for finding willing individuals to leave Ukraine, while another handled the transportation arrangements and organized routes around customs control points to avoid detention by border guards or police. The criminals developed clear instructions for "clients" to avoid attracting attention during border crossing, bypassing formal procedures. As part of the crackdown on this scheme, during a special operation, security officers detained one of the key participants — a 31-year-old man from Rivne region, who was contracted to deliver two draftees to the border. During the detention, the suspect received 300,000 hryvnias—the sum he was to collect from two potential conscripts trying to evade the draft. He was responsible for transporting the "clients" to the border zone using his own vehicle. Based on collected evidence and investigative actions, the suspect was issued a travel ban and charged under the article concerning illegal transportation of persons across the state border. Under the procedural guidance of the Rivne Regional Prosecutor’s Office, investigative actions continue to identify all participants involved in the criminal scheme, aiming to hold all responsible parties accountable. The investigation and arrests highlight the seriousness of the issue of illegal migration and corruption in this sphere, as such schemes undermine trust in the Ukrainian defense and law enforcement systems and pose a threat to national security. Law enforcement agencies continue active efforts to expose and dismantle similar criminal schemes to prevent mass departures of draft dodgers and ensure compliance with Ukrainian laws regarding conscription.