Veteran-turned deserter organized illegal cross-border operations and planned a terrorist attack
In Zaporizhzhia, officers of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) in cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) conducted a large-scale special operation to expose and apprehend a serviceman who unlawfully abandoned his military unit and established a completely illegal business facilitating the smuggling of Ukrainian soldiers across the border.
According to investigations, this military veteran, who had participated in combat before the full-scale invasion, enjoyed a privileged status that allowed him to move freely across Ukraine and evade authorities.
Initially, he sought to earn additional income by recruiting his girlfriend into the scheme, offering a service that promised to guide and assist soldiers in illegally crossing the border.
The criminal proposed a ‘basic package’ that included transportation to the border zone using his personal vehicle and a route that supposedly avoided crossing the Tisza River.
Clients could also pay extra for «European» logistics support, including assistance up to Germany.
A video published by the SBI shows the negotiations with potential clients, revealing details of the scheme.
The coordinator received an advance payment of $6,000 and collected half of the fee en route but was detained before completing the deal.
Law enforcement agencies arrested him in a neighboring region.
Currently, he faces charges under Ukrainian criminal law for organizing illegal border crossings and attempted facilitation of desertion, with possible imprisonment up to 12 years.
These cases are part of the broader legal crackdown on military desertion and escape, with over 290,000 cases opened since the start of the full-scale war, highlighting the immense challenges in maintaining discipline among soldiers at war.