Law enforcement officers have uncovered a large-scale scheme to evade military service using fictitious medical certificates, involving both civilians and military personnel, the National Police of Ukraine reported.
As part of the next stage of the special operation "Guardian", operatives of the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police, investigators of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police, and employees of the State Bureau of Investigation and Internal Security of the Armed Forces of Ukraine conducted more than 60 searches throughout the country. As a result of the operation, almost 30 individuals who used forged documents to avoid mobilization or discharge from service were reported under suspicion. The perpetrators face up to ten years in prison.
The main scheme consisted of submitting fictitious certificates to military units and territorial recruiting centers about alleged poor health or the need to care for sick relatives. Checks revealed numerous cases of the use of forged documents, and in some cases, a complete lack of data on visits to medical institutions.
Examples of violations uncovered include:
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One serviceman submitted documents stating that his mother and wife had a second-degree disability, but the check showed that neither of them had sought medical attention or received assistance.
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Another conscript provided a certificate of unfitness for service, although doctors recommended only temporary leave of up to 30 days with subsequent return.
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Another case involved a serviceman who committed self-mutilation to avoid mobilization.
Criminal proceedings have been opened under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, including evasion of service, forgery of documents, and fraud.
During the previous stages of the special operation "Guardian", law enforcement officers discovered about 100 cases of the use of fictitious certificates of care for the disabled, which were used by conscripts and military personnel to cover up.
Currently, investigators continue to collect evidence to bring all those involved to criminal responsibility. The operation was conducted with the participation of the National Police, the State Bureau of Investigation, the internal security of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor General's Office.
