The NABU revealed a corruption scheme involving the smuggling of military conscripts across the border with an accomplice and a law enforcement officer
Prosecutors from the National Bureau of Investigation report the uncovering of a large-scale criminal activity organized by a local law enforcement officer and his accomplice from Chernivtsi region. Operatives detained them during an attempt to illegally transport several military conscripts to neighboring Romania, using pre-planned routes and smuggling schemes. This was the result of months of detective work, during which it was established that the suspects had established a comprehensive criminal scheme based on corruption factors and aimed at profiting from military personnel, who, in this challenging time for the country, sought to avoid mobilization. According to the DGB (State Bureau of Investigation) press service, the illegal activity of smuggling people from the Ukrainian side began as early as March 2025. Within this operation, the law enforcement officer—who worked in one of the law enforcement agencies in Chernivtsi region—provided his acquaintances with legal advice that allowed them to legitimize their departure abroad during the wartime. Since legal exit routes were limited or complicated during this period, the offender offered an additional “service”—help in bypassing the law. As agreed, the criminals received a fee of $5,500 for organizing the delivery of clients to the border, from where military personnel could cross outside official border checkpoints, either on foot or using old and new routes, bypassing security. Investigators note that the suspects carefully planned their routes to avoid contact with law enforcement and to minimize the risk of detention. They used hidden paths through forested areas and planned the logistics of crossing the border into Romania, considering all possible obstacles and terrain features. The arrest took place on April 25 of this year during an attempt to smuggle several more conscripts across the border. A criminal case has been opened against the law enforcement officer and his accomplice under Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—“illegal transportation of persons across the state border for personal gain.” Both suspects have already been notified of their suspicion, and the investigation is ongoing. Those detained face up to 10 years of imprisonment with possible property confiscation for their activities. Exposing this criminal scheme is another important step in the fight against corruption at the border and attempts to illegally bypass state restrictions and regimes during the special period. The NABU emphasizes that the investigation is continuing, and law enforcement is committed to holding all those involved accountable to prevent further smuggling cases and to reduce the risks to national security.