SBI uncovers corruption scheme on the border with Odesa region: who was detained

SBI officers, together with the SBU and the State Border Guard Service, exposed a law enforcement officer in Odesa region who organized an illegal business, allowing men with military service to pass through the transit section of the road on the border with Moldova.

According to the State Bureau of Investigation, since the beginning of the war, special restrictions have been imposed on the Odesa-Reni road section that passes through Moldova. Controlling authorities are obliged to report men of military age who try to cross the border without the necessary documents.

Photo: State Bureau of Investigation

However, one of the law enforcement officers decided to make money on this. In December 2024, he agreed with an entrepreneur to transport men under the guise of goods. For this "service," he demanded $300 from each passenger. According to preliminary data, dozens of men could have illegally crossed the border through this mechanism.

The detainee was served a notice of suspicion of receiving an unlawful benefit by an official (Part 3 of Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The law enforcement officer faces up to 10 years in prison.

The issue of a preventive measure and removal from office is currently being decided.

Over the past year, 120 officials were exposed for smuggling citizens across the border. The most frequent suspects were employees of the TCC, MSEC, doctors and law enforcement officers. In total, during 2024, law enforcement officers investigated 287 criminal proceedings over such facts. Of these, 61 cases were sent to court.

Meanwhile, the SBU detained an inspector of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi border guard detachment on suspicion of organizing a channel for smuggling conscripts across the border.

Law enforcement also detained a 37-year-old Odesa resident who organized the illegal crossing of the Ukrainian border by conscripts. The suspect was looking for men who wanted to flee the country despite martial law and guaranteed them unimpeded travel to a neighboring country for a monetary reward.

Ірина Глухова