Law enforcement officers have uncovered a large-scale criminal scheme to illegally smuggle Ukrainian servicemen across the state border. According to the Prosecutor General's Office, nine people were involved in the scheme, including a lawyer from Lviv, a resident of Ternopil, and five residents of Chernivtsi region. All of them acted as part of an organized criminal group.
As the investigation established, the attackers were looking for servicemen who did not want to continue their service and persuaded them to flee. They promised not only safe passage abroad, but also assistance in getting discharged from the army and avoiding being wanted thanks to "influential connections in the military command.".
The organizers offered a “full package of services”: from delivery from a military unit to the border strip — for $3,000–6,000, to direct illegal crossing of the border with Romania or Moldova — for up to $15,000. According to the investigation, at least 25 military personnel have already used the services of this network.
During the searches, more than 160 thousand hryvnias, $21 thousand, 2 thousand euros, 12 vehicles, 17 weapons, mobile phones, and draft records with evidence of criminal activity were seized from the suspects.
All nine participants have been charged under Articles 332 Part 3 and 114 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - illegal smuggling of persons across the state border and obstruction of the lawful activities of the Armed Forces. Prosecutors have filed a motion to impose preventive measures, and the possible involvement of other persons in this scheme is also being investigated.
