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Recent investigations have unveiled extensive criminal activities aimed at evading mobilization across Ukraine. Authorities, including the Security Service of Ukraine, State Bureau of Investigation, and National Police, have exposed various fraudulent schemes, underscoring the challenge of maintaining a fair enlistment process. Techniques range from forged medical documents, fictitious employment, and judicial manipulation, to extreme methods such as illegal border crossings. These schemes offer evaders exemption for hefty fees, impacting both national security and public trust. Continuous law enforcement efforts are crucial to curbing these schemes and ensuring equitable mobilization in Ukraine.

What are the common schemes used to evade mobilization in Ukraine?

Common schemes include the forgery of medical documents, bribery of officials for legal exemptions, illegal border crossings, and creation of fictitious employment scenarios. These methods often involve significant financial transactions, as individuals are charged substantial sums to circumvent the legal process of conscription.

How is the Ukrainian government addressing mobilization evasion?

The Ukrainian government, in collaboration with various law enforcement agencies, is actively investigating and dismantling evasion schemes. This includes operations led by the Security Service of Ukraine, State Bureau of Investigation, and National Police. They focus on identifying and prosecuting the organizers and facilitators of such illegal activities to ensure a fair conscription process.

What legal consequences do individuals face for evading mobilization?

Individuals caught evading mobilization may face criminal charges, including forgery, corruption, and bribery. Depending on their involvement, punishments can range from fines and confiscation of illicit gains to imprisonment. Additionally, legislative discussions are ongoing regarding stricter penalties and sanctions to deter such activities.

What financial implications are involved in these evasion schemes?

Evasion schemes often involve significant financial transactions, with individuals paying anywhere from $3,000 to $36,000 to avoid military service. These payments are made to corrupt officials or criminal intermediaries who facilitate forged documents, fake disability certificates, or illegal crossings, indicating a lucrative underground market.

Are educational institutions involved in mobilization evasion schemes?

Yes, investigations have revealed that some educational institutions have been complicit in creating false employment scenarios for individuals claiming exemption from mobilization. This includes accepting bribes in exchange for student statuses that falsely exempt individuals from conscription, highlighting institutional corruption.

Is there a pattern in the regions affected by evasion schemes?

Evasion schemes have been uncovered across various regions in Ukraine, indicating a widespread issue. Significant activity has been found in Kyiv, Odessa, and regions bordering other countries, where illegal crossings are more prevalent. This pattern suggests that both urban and rural areas are exploited for such schemes.

Can foreign travel be impacted by mobilization laws in Ukraine?

Yes, individuals subject to conscription laws might face restrictions on foreign travel. Schemes that facilitate illegal border crossings or provide false documentation for travel can lead to legal repercussions, affecting future travel capabilities and leaving individuals subject to prosecution upon discovery.

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w117_header_alt Evasion from mobilization

Police expose draft evasion schemes linked to TCR and SS Cost of "services" up to $25,000: National Police serve over 180 notices of suspicion in evasion schemes through TCRs Since the beginning of 2026, officers of the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police have exposed dozens of corruption schemes linked to draft evasion and illegal travel abroad. 969 4 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization Illegal border crossing

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. 3 908 9 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

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... 3 295 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. 3 358 18 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Viatrovych says Omelian served at front and was wounded Former minister Omelyan was at front and wounded – Viatrovych Former Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan was among those who voluntarily joined the defense of Kyiv in February 2022, taking up arms. He later served in southern Ukraine and then sustained a shrapnel wound. 6 589 43 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

suspicion against Omelian SBI has notified former Infrastructure Minister Omelian of suspicion of evading military service. PHOTOS Officials from the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) have notified former Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Volodymyr Omelian that he is under suspicion of failing to perform his duties whilst serving in a military unit and of misleading the command. 6 295 46 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

DBR, evaders Large-scale desertion scheme exposed in four Ukrainian regions: organizers charged up to $15,000 – SBI. PHOTO Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), together with the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police, exposed an organized group that helped mobilized service members to leave their places of service without authorization in exchange for money. The scheme operated... 2 990 13 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization AWOL in AFU

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. 5 037 70 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

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. 2 477 10 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

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... 1 244 20 Previously in trend: Smugglers of draft evaders exposed Evasion from mobilization

police In Kyiv, National Police detained two men who demanded $20,000 from wife of mobilized man for his release from TCR. PHOTOS In Kyiv, law enforcement officers detained two accomplices who demanded $20,000 from the common-law wife of a mobilized man for his "release" from a Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support (TCR and SS) and for arranging a finding that he was unfit for military service, using... 3 470 18 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Ariev criticises Zelenskyy over remarks on men abroad European Solidarity MP Ariev: Zelenskyy should bring back Mindich instead of talking about returning Ukrainian men from abroad Volodymyr Ariev, a member of parliament from the European Solidarity faction, believes that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statement about returning men of mobilisation age from Germany to Ukraine is political. 6 813 72 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization Mobilisation in Ukraine Return of Ukrainians

The State Bureau of Investigation has uncovered a large-scale scheme at the Konotop Court Scheme to illegally obtain deferrals from mobilisation through court rulings exposed. PHOTOS Under the procedural guidance of prosecutors from the Office of the Prosecutor General and the Sumy Regional Prosecutor’s Office, investigators from the SBI exposed a scheme in the Konotop City and District Court involving the issuance of court rulings in response to applications from men liable... 9 440 5 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

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. 2 975 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. 3 122 42 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

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. 1 301 2 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization men’s departure abroad

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. 1 921 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. 1 290 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. 1 437 5 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Former head of the MMC exposed for forging certificates Scheme involving "fake" medical certificates to evade military service exposed: former head of MMC in Kharkiv region notified of suspicion, – Office of Prosecutor General. PHOTO A scheme to forge medical documents, which enabled conscripts to evade military service and travel abroad, has been uncovered in the Kharkiv region. The former head of the military medical commission at one of the departments of the District TCR and SS has been notified of the charges against him. 2 075 18 Previously in trend: Forgery of MMC documents Evasion from mobilization

Attempts to smuggle people across the border have been thwarted Law enforcement officers have foiled three attempts to smuggle people across border. PHOTOS Four people who tried to smuggle draft-age men across the border were exposed by officers of the Mukachevo border detachment’s main operational search unit, in cooperation with the National Police, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), and prosecutors. 991 8 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization Illegal border crossing

The SBU, the State Bureau of Investigation and the National Police have uncovered a further four evasion schemes SSU, SBI and National Police uncover 4 more "draft evasion" schemes. PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and the National Police have uncovered new draft evasion schemes and detained the organizers of the operations in different regions of Ukraine. 1 763 4 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

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 Rada is discussing restrictions for draft dodgers and military personnel with AWOL Account freezing and driving bans: Rada discusses new restrictions for evaders and AWOL The Verkhovna Rada is discussing the possibility of introducing additional restrictions for citizens who evade mobilization, as well as for military personnel who have left their military units without permission. 21 394 262 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization AWOL in AFU

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. 2 208 17 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

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... 10 911 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. 2 785 31 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

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. 2 539 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. 1 942 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... 9 211 203 Previously in trend: Shelling of Kharkiv region Evasion from mobilization

The bribe-taker helped to avoid mobilisation $10,000 for "diagnosis": scheme for illegally obtaining deferrals from mobilisation in Kyiv has been exposed. PHOTO Kyiv police have uncovered a scheme for illegally obtaining deferrals from mobilisation. 2 115 18 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

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. 1 855 17 Previously in trend: Smugglers of draft evaders exposed Evasion from mobilization

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. 2 488 7 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

In Chernihiv, a "training" scheme for evaders at a local university was exposed Bribes for positive grades: Chernihiv university ran fictitious studies for men liable for military service. PHOTOS Police have exposed a criminal group comprising heads of academic departments and a lecturer at one of the universities in Chernihiv, who organized a corruption scheme to obtain deferments from mobilization for men of conscription age. 1 838 8 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Large-scale checks are being carried out in Ukraine due to evasion of mobilisation: Large-scale checks in Ukraine due to evasion of mobilisation: 110 people suspected of false deferrals. VIDEO+PHOTOS As part of the sixth stage of the large-scale special operation "Guardian," law enforcement officers uncovered new schemes for evading military service. 10 306 25 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Kyiv District State Administration officials helped men evade mobilisation: details Kyiv District State Administration officials sold fictitious guardianship using persons with disabilities, - SBI AUDIO+PHOTOS In Kyiv, officials from one of the district state administrations were exposed for "selling" guardianship in order to obtain deferrals from mobilisation. They exploited vulnerable people for this purpose. 1 690 7 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Organised a scheme to evade mobilisation: an official of the Regional State Administration and his accomplices exposed Smyk, Kyiv Regional State Administration official, helped men evade mobilization for $15,000. PHOTOS Law enforcement agencies have dismantled another large-scale draft evasion scheme in Kyiv and detained the first deputy head of one of the capital’s district state administrations who was involved in the scheme. 3 123 16 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

The State Bureau of Investigation detained a border guard from Dnipropetrovsk region State Bureau of Investigation detained border guard from Dnipropetrovsk region who helped men avoid mobilisation. PHOTOS Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation, in cooperation with the State Border Guard Service, detained and charged a border guard from the Dnipropetrovsk region who, in exchange for bribes, helped conscripts evade mobilisation by issuing fictitious disability certificates. 897 6 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization Illegal border crossing

Schemes for avoiding mobilisation exposed Over UAH 5.8 mln for mobilization evasion: smuggling channels for military-age men uncovered in three regions. VIDEO Prosecutors, together with law enforcement agencies, uncovered a number of schemes related to mobilization evasion and the illegal smuggling of military-age men across Ukraine’s state border. 1 813 15 Previously in trend: Smugglers of draft evaders exposed Evasion from mobilization

Corruption schemes related to evasion of mobilisation have been exposed Over million hryvnias for evading mobilisation: corruption schemes exposed in several regions, - Office of Prosecutor General. PHOTOS A number of corruption schemes related to evading mobilisation and illegally influencing the decisions of officials in the field of military service have been exposed. 3 837 19 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

The National Police and the SSU have exposed corruption schemes for evading mobilisation SSU and National Police exposed seven organisers of "draft dodging schemes" in various regions of Ukraine. PHOTOS The Security Service and National Police have blocked new schemes for evading mobilisation in Ukraine and detained seven organisers of the schemes. 1 546 9 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Evasion of mobilisation in Ukraine. What needs to be changed in the process? 19,000 cases of evading mobilisation registered: far fewer convictions, - media In Ukraine, violators of military registration are not actually sought out, so they manage to avoid responsibility. 5 130 56 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization Mobilisation in Ukraine

Lawyer detained in Prykarpattia: he faces 8 years in prison Organised fictitious evasion of mobilisation: lawyer detained in Prykarpattia. PHOTO In the Ivano-Frankivsk region, law enforcement officers uncovered a scheme to evade mobilisation organised by a 35-year-old lawyer from Rozhniativ. 1 552 2 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

In Odesa region, a car carrying illegal migrants overturned on the road In Odesa region, car with illegal migrants overturned on way to border with Moldova - State Border Guard Service. PHOTOS Near the Ukrainian-Moldovan border in the Rozdilnyansky district, border guards found a car that was trying to break through to the border. 3 467 18 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

Three evaders detained in Zakarpattia Smuggling to Hungary for $29,000: three evaders detained in Zakarpattia – State Border Guard Service. PHOTOS In Transcarpathia, border guards of the Mukachevo Detachment detained three men from Kyiv, Odesa and Kirovohrad regions who were trying to illegally cross the border with Hungary. 1 555 0 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

The Ministry of Education and Science inspects universities Ministry of Education and Science: "Education will not save you from mobilisation" – universities being checked for fictitious postgraduate students The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has stated that education cannot be used as a means of evading mobilisation. 3 341 28 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

At the border with Moldova, a man hid under children’s clothes to leave Ukraine Hid under children’s belongings to leave Ukraine: man detained in Vinnytsia region, - SBGS. VIDEO+PHOTO At the Mohyliv-Podilskyi checkpoint in Vinnytsia region, border guards found a 29-year-old local resident who was trying to illegally travel abroad by hiding under belongings. 2 969 64 Previously in trend: Evasion from mobilization

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