Border guard detained in Odesa region on suspicion of corruption

Detectives of the State Bureau of Investigation and the Security Service of Ukraine detained a border guard in Odesa region on suspicion of smuggling men of military age across the state border of Ukraine.

This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, the suspects set up a channel for men of military age to leave Ukraine. For their services, they demanded 18 thousand US dollars per person. The organizers claimed that they could provide illegal border crossing outside the official checkpoint towards Moldova, with the participation of certain officials of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, who allegedly had to guarantee transportation across the border by car.

The suspects convinced the clients that they had repeatedly helped men with military service who had successfully and smoothly left Ukraine to illegally leave. The man, who was offered to use the scheme, turned to law enforcement. Further events took place under the control of the investigation.

In October 2025, after receiving the first part of the bribe - USD 10 thousand - both suspects were detained. The issue of choosing a preventive measure in the form of detention is currently being decided.

Law enforcers are checking the possible involvement of other officials in the crime and identifying persons who may have used illegal services.

Earlier, employees of the State Bureau of Investigation served a notice of suspicion to a border guard inspector of organizing the transportation of persons liable for military service across the state border of Ukraine to the Transnistrian region of Moldova.

Earlier, the former goalkeeper of Odesa football club Chornomorets, Artur Rudko, was detained while trying to illegally leave Ukraine. The incident occurred while he was crossing the state border.

Кирило Бойко