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The term "Evaders" is making headlines with an alarming number of cases involving fraudulent schemes to evade mobilisation in Ukraine. From fictitious disability claims to organised illegal border crossings, these activities reflect a deep-rooted issue in mobilisation processes. Recently, the National Police exposed a 200 million hryvnia fraud concerning fake medical records in Zaporizhzhia. Similarly, 3,000 men were found registered as fictitious postgraduate students to defer conscription. The illegal smuggling of conscription-age men across borders, particularly to Romania and Poland, is rampant, with traffickers charging up to $25,000 per person. These revelations raise questions about the control and mitigation of such crimes, highlighting the ongoing struggle between law enforcement efforts and evaders seeking to exploit loopholes.

How do fraudulent evasion schemes work in Ukraine?

Fraudulent evasion schemes in Ukraine involve false medical disability claims, fake student registrations, and illegal border crossings. These tactics are facilitated by groups charging significant sums to help conscripts avoid mobilisation.

What recent schemes for avoiding mobilisation have been uncovered?

Recently uncovered schemes include a 200 million hryvnia medical fraud in Zaporizhzhia, the smuggling of 3,000 fictitious students, and multiple illegal border crossing networks charging up to $25,000.

What are the legal actions faced by those organising evasion schemes?

Organisers of evasion schemes face serious legal consequences including indictments, charges for smuggling, and various criminal charges for committing fraud, with cases being pursued by the Prosecutor General and other law enforcement agencies.

How are law enforcement agencies responding to mobilisation evasion?

Ukrainian law enforcement agencies are actively cracking down on evasion, dismantling fraud networks, prosecuting organisers, and collaborating across regional lines to combat these crimes efficiently.

What role do professionals play in draft dodging schemes in Ukraine?

Professionals, including medical staff and educational administrators, are often implicated in draft dodging schemes, exploiting their positions to create false documentation and facilitate illegal avoidance of mobilisation.

What impact do these evasion schemes have on Ukraine's mobilisation efforts?

Evasion schemes significantly undermine Ukraine's mobilisation efforts by reducing the pool of available conscripts, creating systemic loopholes, and challenging the effectiveness of military recruitment regulations and enforcement.

What measures can be taken to curb evasion of mobilisation in Ukraine?

Effective measures to curb evasion include strengthening border security, enhancing verification processes for medical and educational exemptions, and increasing penalties for those facilitating fraudulent evasion schemes.

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News Evaders

New schemes for draft evaders exposed Bank employee, TCR employee, bloggers and repeat offender: 8 new "draft evasion schemes" exposed and 14 organizers detained – SSU. PHOTOS The Security Service and the National Police have uncovered a further eight schemes to evade mobilisation and have arrested the organisers of these schemes in various regions of Ukraine. 3 732 9 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

In the Kyiv region, border guards found a man under a blanket in the boot of a car Hid under belongings and cloth: border guards find "illegal" in car trunk in Kyiv Oblast. VIDEO+PHOTOS In Kyiv Oblast, servicemen of the 9th Border Detachment exposed another failed attempt to illegally cross a checkpoint. A local resident tried to enter the border area by hiding in the luggage compartment of a car. 4 138 47 Previously in trend: Illegal border crossing

organisers of schemes for draft dodgers "Exemption" from mobilization through fake TCR summonses: NGO head and his accomplices detained in Zakarpattia. PHOTO The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and the National Police have dismantled another large-scale scheme to evade mobilization in Zakarpattia. As a result of comprehensive measures in Uzhhorod, the head of a civic association was exposed after he, together with a former official of a district... 3 290 18 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

New schemes for selling administrative posts have been uncovered: details from the SSU ’Rear-line’ posts were being sold: SSU has uncovered schemes to evade military service and mobilisation in four regions. PHOTOS Four new schemes for evading military service and mobilization have been uncovered. 3 355 18 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Smugglers to Romania detained in Zakarpattia In highlands of Carpathians, border guards detained two smugglers with client. PHOTOS Two residents of Zakarpattia, who attempted to smuggle a 29-year-old man from the Kyiv region into Romania, were detained by border guards from the "Dilove" unit and the "Dozor" special unit. 1 596 9 Previously in trend: Smugglers of draft evaders exposed Illegal border crossing

fictitious disability Fictitious disability to evade mobilisation: medical fraud scheme worth over 200 million hryvnias has been uncovered in Zaporizhzhia, - National Police. PHOTOS Police have uncovered a criminal scheme at medical facilities in Zaporizhzhia, with those involved having made over 200 million hryvnias from fraudulent disability claims. 1 699 6 Previously in trend: Fake disability among prosecutors

Fictitious postgraduate programme in Zaporizhzhia 3,000 fictitious "postgraduate students" received deferrals: management of Zaporizhzhia university will be tried for scheme worth over 50 million hryvnias, - Prosecutor General. PHOTOS An indictment has been filed against nine members of a criminal organisation who organised a large-scale scheme to falsely enrol conscripts into postgraduate programmes in order to obtain deferrals from mobilisation. 5 029 70 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Border guards thwarted two attempts to smuggle people into Romania Two channels for smuggling men to Romania uncovered in Zakarpattia. VIDEO In Zakarpattia, law enforcement officers have dismantled two networks involved in the illegal smuggling of men of conscription age across the Ukrainian-Romanian border. 1 027 5 Previously in trend: men’s departure abroad

A scheme involving school place bookings in a lyceum in Volyn has been uncovered Fictitious teachers and ’exemptions from military service’: criminal scheme exposed at lyceum in Volyn. PHOTOS Officials at an educational institution in Lutsk have been caught up in a criminal scheme. They set up a system to hire people who did not actually perform their duties or turn up for work. Nevertheless, they were paid over 3 million hryvnias. 2 473 10 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

A 46-year-old man from the Kyiv region organised escapes abroad for $25,000 Smuggled conscripts across the border for $25,000: suspect notified of charges. PHOTO In the Kyiv region, law enforcement officers have uncovered the organiser of an illegal scheme to smuggle men of conscription age across the state border. The perpetrator charged 25,000 dollars for his ‘services’. 809 3 Previously in trend: Smugglers of draft evaders exposed

In Lviv region, the organiser of a scheme to smuggle draft dodgers was exposed Border guards have uncovered channel for illegal smuggling of people across state border. PHOTOS Operatives from the 7th Carpathian Border Guard Detachment, in collaboration with investigators from the Lviv Regional Police and staff from the Strategic Investigations Directorate, under the procedural supervision of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, have uncovered the organiser of a... 1 000 27

Channels for illegal travel abroad and document forgery to evade mobilisation have been blocked SSU, State Bureau of Investigation and National Police have uncovered 8 schemes to evade mobilisation. PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigation and the National Police have uncovered eight new schemes to evade conscription and detained the organisers of these schemes in a number of regions. According to the investigation, for sums of up to 25,000 US dollars, the... 1 232 20 Previously in trend: Smugglers of draft evaders exposed Evasion from mobilization

mobilization with a specific deadline Reshetilova proposes new approach to mobilization: If 1.6 million draft dodgers join military, 2- to 3-year term of service could be introduced In Ukraine, the issue of demobilization can be considered provided that citizens who are currently evading mobilization are enlisted into service. At the same time, clear terms of service—approximately 2–3 years—must be established for newly enlisted servicemembers. 12 497 157 Previously in trend: alternative to demobilisation Mobilisation in Ukraine

draft dodger Border guards expose draft dodger in car trunk – SBGS. VIDEO At the Uhryniv checkpoint, border guards stopped an attempted illegal border crossing. During an inspection of a vehicle, they found a man hiding inside the car while trying to leave for Poland. 4 018 48 Previously in trend: Detention of draft dodgers at the border

District council member organised the illegal departure of men abroad Organised illegal departure of conscripts abroad: district council deputy in Zakarpattia has been exposed, - Office of Prosecutor General. PHOTOS A member of the Tiachiv District Council in Zakarpattia Oblast has been caught organising the illegal smuggling of people across Ukraine’s state border. 1 249 1 Previously in trend: Smugglers of draft evaders exposed

Two MPs’ aides were involved in schemes for draft dodgers They took $16,000 from ’draft dodgers’ and then vanished ’off radar’: SSU exposes two MPs’ aides from OPFL. PHOTOS Two parliamentary aides have been caught engaging in "evasive schemes". 3 966 16 Previously in trend: Fraudulent schemes

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Germany should deal with Ukrainians who left Ukraine illegally, Zelenskyy says President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that men of mobilisation age who left the country illegally should return to Ukraine. 20 738 144 Previously in trend: Mobilisation in Ukraine men’s departure abroad

The soldier is suspected of fraud and evading service Officer from Dnipropetrovsk region, on fictitious "sick leave," gambled at casino and received his salary, – SBI. VIDEO+PHOTOS An officer from the Dnipropetrovsk region has been informed of new allegations – whilst on a fraudulent sick leave, he visited casinos and received his salary. 5 560 14

Scheme exposed: men travelling abroad under the guise of musicians She registered men as members of music bands: organiser of illegal border crossing scheme exposed. PHOTOS A Ukrainian citizen who organised a scheme to smuggle men of conscription age across the state border has been served with a notice of suspicion. 2 970 28 Previously in trend: Smugglers of draft evaders exposed Evasion from mobilization

Mobilisation reform Clear service terms possible only after mobilization and reservation reforms – Reshetylova Military Ombudsman Olha Reshetylova has stated that it is impossible to define clear service terms without intensifying mobilization processes and revising the mobilization exemption mechanisms. 3 116 42 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

A group of offenders was detained near the border with Slovakia Group of offenders was detained near border with Slovakia. PHOTOS Servicemen from the Chop Detachment detained three men who were attempting to cross the Ukrainian-Slovak border illegally. 1 819 10 Previously in trend: Detention of draft dodgers at the border

Officials of the MMC in Kharkiv have been exposed Media have analyzed market for evading mobilization: how do these schemes work, and how much do they cost? Oleh Kolomiets, a military servicemember at the Bucha District Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center, declared gold bars worth 7.7 million hryvnias, as well as $43,500 and euros in cash, for the past year. Meanwhile, his official annual income was 366,000 hryvnias. 9 456 71 Previously in trend: Corruption and mobilisation

A soldier who was smuggling draft dodgers abroad has been exposed in the Khmelnytskyi region Soldier organised scheme to send "contract soldiers" abroad for $3,000 in Khmelnytskyi region, - Prosecutor’s office. PHOTO A scheme involving the illegal smuggling of conscripts abroad, organised by a member of the armed forces, has been uncovered in the Khmelnytskyi region. 1 295 2 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization men’s departure abroad

New charges brought against head of National Park in Mykolaiv region "Dead souls" and exemptions from mobilisation: new suspicions announced against national park head in Mykolaiv region. PHOTOS Officers of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) have uncovered new facts of unlawful activity by the head of the Biloberezhzhia Sviatoslava National Nature Park in Mykolaiv region and served him with additional notices of suspicion. 2 069 2

The SSU has exposed a criminal gang of medical professionals in the Cherkasy region, SSU has exposed criminal gang of medical professionals in Cherkasy region involved in "schemes for draft dodgers". PHOTOS The Security Service has dismantled a large-scale scheme to evade mobilisation in Cherkasy, which had been set up by local medical staff. 1 918 5 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

The SBU and National Police have dismantled five schemes for draft dodgers SSU and National Police dismantle 5 more "schemes for draft dodgers". PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police have blocked five new draft evasion schemes and exposed eight organizers of the operations in different regions of Ukraine. 1 279 3 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Police have exposed a Kyiv resident who was selling fake disability certificates via OLX for $9,000 Police have exposed Kyiv resident who was selling fake disability certificates via OLX for $9,000. PHOTOS A man has been caught in Kyiv offering to arrange fake disability certificates via the OLX marketplace to evade conscription. 1 429 5 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

scheme for evaders €20,000 border escape scheme: organizers detained in Kharkiv region. PHOTOS Climbing over a barbed-wire fence and swimming across a river in a wetsuit - that was the kind of "service" offered by the organizers of yet another scheme to illegally smuggle military-liable men across the state border. Among those detained was a Russian citizen. 1 525 10 Previously in trend: Draft evaders smuggling across the border

Border guards detained a man who was attempting to cross the Dniester Border guards detain man trying to swim across Dniester. VIDEO+PHOTOS Servicemen of the Mohyliv-Podilskyi border guard detachment uncovered an attempted illegal crossing of the state border. A 34-year-old local resident tried to reach Moldova by swimming across the Dniester River. 2 209 52 Previously in trend: Detention of draft dodgers at the border

Border guards detained three men who were swimming to Moldova On inflatable mattresses across Dniester: border guards detained three men who were swimming to Moldova. VIDEO+PHOTOS Border guards from the Mohyliv-Podilskyi detachment thwarted an attempt to cross the state border illegally via the Dniester. 4 743 55 Previously in trend: Illegal border crossing

Odessa doctor organised a disability scheme for tax evaders Odesa doctor who ran "disability" scheme for draft dodgers was exposed. PHOTO In Odesa, authorities exposed the head of a department at a private hospital who, together with accomplices, promised to arrange medical documents for evading mobilization and help secure a Group II disability status. 1 911 33 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

The SSU and National Police have detained 13 more organisers of evasion schemes SSU and National Police have detained 13 more organisers of "evasion schemes". PHOTOS The Security Service and National Police have blocked new schemes for evading mobilisation and detained the organisers of these schemes in various regions of Ukraine. 2 206 17 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

In Vinnytsia region, a man decided to sell his knowledge of the area In Vinnytsia region, scheme for smuggling men across Dniester for $6,000 exposed. PHOTO Operatives of the Mohyliv-Podilskyi border guard detachment have exposed a channel for the illegal smuggling of conscription-age individuals across the state border. 1 202 0 Previously in trend: Smugglers of draft evaders exposed

forging documents for draft dodgers Large-scale scheme to forge "certificates" of law enforcement agencies for draft dodgers exposed, - SSU. PHOTOS The Main Directorate of Internal Security and investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) have neutralised a scheme for the mass production and sale of "documents" that imitated the identification documents of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, including "Security Service of Ukraine... 10 906 51 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

In Chernihiv region, the State Bureau of Investigation uncovered a scheme to evade mobilisation Fictitious "teachers" instead of front: SBI exposes mobilization evasion scheme in Chernihiv region. VIDEO Officers of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) have served a notice of suspicion on the president of one of the educational institutions in the Chernihiv region. 2 784 31 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

SBI exposes Oberih scheme helping nearly 100 men dodge draft SBI exposed service members and ex-law enforcement officer who tampered with "Oberih" and removed nearly 100 men from military register Officers of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) exposed and shut down an interregional group that had been systematically interfering with state registries and arranging draft evasion for nearly 100 men liable for military service. 1 676 4 Previously in trend: Removal from military registration

detention for illegal disability Scheme involving fictitious disability to evade mobilisation was exposed in Kyiv. PHOTOS Fake disability with "legal" pension provision: in Kyiv, the National Police exposed a dealer involved in illegal transactions. 2 537 11 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Police exposed a hospital official who helped people evade military service Police exposed medical facility official who helped people evade mobilisation for 25,000 dollars. PHOTOS Police investigators exposed a medical facility official who helped people evade mobilisation for $25,000. 2 348 25 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Update of limited fitness status Official at military hospital organised scheme to forge certificates for exclusion from military registration, - Office of Prosecutor General At the National Military Medical Clinical Centre ‘Main Military Clinical Hospital,’ a scheme was uncovered whereby an official from one of the departments organised the issuance of forged medical documents to obtain conclusions from military medical commissions (MMC) on unfitness for service. 1 934 4 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Man evaded mobilisation and was killed by Russian KAB Man evaded mobilization in frontline village and was killed by KAB strike: his wife and daughter were wounded. VIDEO A family with two children returned to the village of Novoosynove (Kupiansk district, Kharkiv region) after evacuation and lived there in secret because the father was evading mobilisation. On 22 February, the Russian KAB struck their house, killing the man. The woman and children were seriously... 9 209 203 Previously in trend: Shelling of Kharkiv region Evasion from mobilization

In Bukovyna, border guards uncovered a new scheme for smuggling men "Ambulance" to border: border guards in Bukovyna uncovered new scheme for smuggling men. VIDEO Recently, officers from the operational unit of the Chernivtsi border guard detachment uncovered a new scheme for illegally transporting Ukrainian citizens of conscription age abroad. 2 352 19 Previously in trend: Draft evaders smuggling across the border Smugglers of draft evaders exposed

New smuggling schemes eliminated For $12–18,000, they offered forged documents or helped flee abroad: new draft evasion schemes dismantled – SSU. PHOTOS The Security Service and National Police uncovered four new schemes for evading mobilisation and detained the organisers of the schemes in various regions of Ukraine. 1 854 17 Previously in trend: Smugglers of draft evaders exposed Evasion from mobilization

Four men detained in Transcarpathia They wanted to climb over fence to border with Slovakia: four draft evaders detained in Transcarpathia – SBGS. VIDEO In Transcarpathia, border guards prevented an attempt to cross the Ukrainian-Slovak border by four draft-aged Ukrainian citizens illegally. 1 870 52 Previously in trend: Detention of draft dodgers at the border

Border guards uncovered a scheme in Zakarpattia Border guards dismantle illegal departure channel via Zakarpattia for $13,000. PHOTOS As a result of a joint special operation carried out by operatives of the 7th Carpathian Border Guard Detachment and the 27th Border Guard Detachment, officers of the Migration Police Department and Lviv District Police Department No. 1 of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Lviv... 1 486 2 Previously in trend: Draft evaders smuggling across the border Illegal border crossing

schemes for evaders Channel for smuggling draft evaders via mountain trails to Romania uncovered: five organisers detained. VIDEO Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation are investigating the illegal transfer of men of conscription age across the state border of Ukraine. 2 742 8 Previously in trend: Smugglers of draft evaders exposed Detention of draft dodgers at the border

SBU detains military hospital official over draft evasion scheme Earned 2.6 mln UAH on draft evaders: SSU exposes senior AFU Main Military Clinical Hospital official A senior official of the Center for Organizing the Security and Defense of Facilities at the Main Military Clinical Hospital of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been detained for organizing a draft evasion scheme. 2 482 7 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Foreign guide with clients detained near the border Foreign guide with "clients" was detained near border with Hungary with warning shots fired, - State Border Service of Ukraine. VIDEO+PHOTOS Border guards from the Mukachevo detachment detained a group of men who were attempting to illegally enter Hungary. Their foreign guide was taken into custody. 3 265 3 Previously in trend: Smugglers of draft evaders exposed Detention of draft dodgers at the border

Draft evasion schemes $10,000 for fake military medical commission: head of public organization detained in Kyiv. PHOTO Kyiv police officers exposed the head of a public organisation who promised men that she would "resolve the issue" of their unsuitability for service for $10,000. 2 557 4 Previously in trend: Smugglers of draft evaders exposed