Ex-official of military district state administration in Odesa region exposed in scheme with conscripts

The State Bureau of Investigation has exposed a group in Odesa region that was trying to illegally transport people liable for military service abroad. A former official of the district military administration and two servicemen were involved in the deal.

This was reported by the press service of the State Bureau of Investigation.

According to the investigation, last summer they planned to smuggle four conscripts to Moldova for $24,000. The organizers promised to deliver the "clients" in their own car, bypassing checkpoints.

The scheme was thwarted by a border guard whom the defendants tried to involve in the deal. He immediately reported the attempted illegal border crossing, which allowed him to document the crime. The dealers were detained while receiving the money.

The investigation also found that the former head of the mobilization sector tried to use the situation for personal gain: after exposing the first scheme, he offered law enforcement officers to hand over accomplices to look like a cooperator, and at the same time organized another illegal deal.

Currently, the former official and the servicemen are accused of organizing the illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine. The sanction of the article provides for up to 9 years in prison. The indictment has already been sent to court, and the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office is providing procedural guidance.

Also in Odesa, a police officer was found guilty of extortion during martial law. According to the investigation, in 2024-2025, a lieutenant colonel of the Odesa regional police offered a man with military service "help" with illegal travel abroad during martial law.

The court took into account the offender's repentance, lack of criminal record and positive characteristics, found no aggravating circumstances, and sentenced him to a fine of UAH 34,000.

Анна Бальчінос