At the Odessa Customs, law enforcement officers thwarted an attempt to illegally smuggle citizens of Russia across the border, organized by a resident of a neighboring country
This event once again highlights the increasing activity of malicious actors who exploit the complex geopolitical situation and illegal schemes to cross Ukraine's state border. According to reports from the State Border Guard Service, a 49-year-old Russian citizen, who has permanent residence in Ukraine, attempted to smuggle two men of conscription age across the Ukrainian-Moldovan segment of the Transnistrian border. The detention took place near one of the villages in the Podilskyi district of Odessa region, when border guards, acting on confidential information, blocked the organizer and his clients. It was revealed that he was operating in close cooperation with an administrator of a popular Telegram channel, who coordinated the operation, and used messaging apps to find and recruit "clients." As investigators found out, the men who were being prepared for illegal crossing had been pre-selected, and guaranteed an unobstructed passage into Moldova. To secure his participation, the offender had collected $9,000 USD in advance, stored in a cryptocurrency wallet, and used these funds to pay for services. According to the plan, the men were picked up in Odessa by an accomplice who drove them in his car to the border’s edge. However, their "journey" was short-lived – border guards detained all participants in the criminal scheme in a timely manner. During searches, a vehicle, mobile phones, and money likely obtained through illegal means were seized. Based on these facts, law enforcement authorities classified the organizer's actions as a violation of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine ("Illegal transfer of persons across the state border"). The Russian citizen who initiated this operation has already been notified of suspicion of committing a criminal offense. The question of his detention with the possibility of posting a bail of over 242,000 hryvnias is being considered. Additionally, two passengers who attempted to cross the border illegally received administrative protocols under Article 204-1 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses ("Illegal crossing or attempt to illegally cross the border"). Currently, the cases have been forwarded to the court for further consideration. This detention is yet another vivid example of how active offenders have become in using the internet, cryptocurrency, and other modern technologies to organize illegal migration schemes. Law enforcement officials reiterate the importance of strengthening the border and enhancing measures to counter such violations in the future.