Law enforcement officer detained in Odesa region on suspicion of trafficking men abroad

Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation served a notice of suspicion to a border guard inspector of organizing the smuggling of conscripts across the state border of Ukraine to the Transnistrian region of Moldova.

According to the SBI press service, the detainee organized the illegal corridor for men in August 2025.

In one of the episodes, the suspect offered a man of military age to help him leave Ukraine for $4,500. He planned to smuggle the client to Moldova outside the official checkpoint and places of service of border patrols.

At the meeting, the inspector provided the man with detailed instructions on the route and the means necessary for a successful trip. On a certain day, the serviceman showed him the areas where he could make an illegal crossing on the screen of his cell phone using a special application.

PHOTO: SBI

On the same day, after receiving the entire agreed amount, the dealer was detained by law enforcement officers. He has been served a notice of suspicion of smuggling of persons across the state border. The issue of choosing a measure of restraint and removal from office is being decided.

If proven guilty, the military man faces up to 9 years in prison.

Earlier, 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.

Also, the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police dismantled seven new mobilization evasion schemes, three of which were in Odesa region. According to investigators, in one case, a 28-year-old Odesa resident organized the smuggling of men of military age across the state border of Ukraine outside checkpoints, involving several acquaintances.

Кирило Бойко