Ukraine uncovers illegal draft-exemption schemes and recruitment abuses

Ukrainian law enforcement and human rights officials have uncovered multiple illicit schemes related to military service, mobilization, and security threats.

The State Bureau of Investigation charged three individuals for operating a scheme charging military personnel between $5,000 and $13,000 to illegally leave their units. In Kyiv Oblast, prosecutors exposed private lyceums offering fake teaching positions for $10,000 plus monthly fees to grant draft deferments. Additionally, reports indicate draft-eligible men are using sham marriages with disabled women to avoid mobilization.

Separately, Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets reported systemic violations at the Berehove recruitment center in Zakarpattia, where men were unlawfully stripped of valid deferments. On the security front, the Security Service of Ukraine disclosed it prevented over 50 assassination attempts against soldiers by women recruited by Russian intelligence via fake dates.

Sources: Liga net, NV, Slidstvo.Info, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда