In the Odesa region, a farmer was arrested for a scheme to evade mobilization

In Odesa, a farmer suspected of registering men subject to military service at his company has been ordered to remain under a preventive measure. According to law enforcement officials, this scheme allowed the men to obtain exemption from mobilization. 

The Peresypsky District Court issuedthe corresponding ruling. 

According to the investigation, the “Kolos 2021” farming enterprise had the status of a business critical to the functioning of the economy and ensuring the livelihoods of the population of the Odesa region. This allowed the enterprise to exempt its employees from conscription during mobilization. 

According to the investigation, the director of the farming enterprise exploited this status to organize a scheme involving the fictitious employment of men subject to military service. According to investigators, the men were formally hired by the enterprise without actually performing any job duties. In exchange, they had to pay a fee, and after being hired, they received exemption from mobilization. 

One such employee was a resident of the Cherkasy region, who was registered as a warehouse clerk. In reality, however, he remained at his place of residence and did not perform the duties assigned to him. His exemption was valid from June 2025 to March 2027.

Investigators also uncovered another incident in which the director found another man subject to military service—the father of a man who had previously been employed there. He was registered as a security guard, although in reality he was also residing in the Cherkasy region.

In September, the farmer was notified of the charges against him. The investigator filed a motion with the court to remand him in custody without setting bail. The defense objected to the arrest and requested a less severe pretrial measure. The man himself supported the defense’s position.

However, the judge pointed out the risk of influencing witnesses, since some of them are employees of the “Kolos-2021” Farming Enterprise and report to the director. As a result, the farm’s director was remanded in custody until November 22, 2026. No bail was set.

As reported by Intent, in July 2024, the “Kolos-2021” farming enterprise in the village of Troitske, Odesa District, was granted the status of a critically important enterprise. According to law enforcement officials, five people were subsequently officially hired by the enterprise, even though they did not actually work there.

Анна Літман