In Bukovina, a veteran organization leader promised to prevent mobilization for $1,500.

In Bukovina, SBU employees uncovered the leader of a veterans' organization who promised draft evaders the ability to avoid mobilization for a fee. The perpetrator demanded $1,500 for a reservation at the local TCC and issued a certificate from the organization in the name of the individual. According to the organization leader's statements, this document was supposed to help avoid service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In this manner, the man deceived about five hundred eligible conscripts in Bukovina.

Law enforcement officials discovered that the perpetrator registered the public organization in April 2023 and offered acquaintances to become its members. The man convinced them that they could obtain a reservation from mobilization in this way. During personal conversations, the organization leader stated that the union certificate would allow them to move freely within Ukraine and avoid checks at checkpoints.

“For such a certificate, each potential 'veteran' had to pay $1,500. The men personally handed the money to the leader. Additionally, they were required to transfer 5,000 UAH as a membership fee to the organization's account,” – reported the SBU of Bukovina on Monday, November 25.

After payment, according to the leader's instructions, members of this organization misled military personnel and law enforcement, claiming that “they worked for one of the Ukrainian special units and were carrying out special secret missions”. Over the course of a year, the perpetrator managed to deceive about five hundred clients who had not updated their military registration data on time.

SBU spokesperson for Bukovina, Lesya Fedorenko, told ZAXID.NET that during a search of the veterans' organization leader, ready certificates, lists of those wishing to obtain certificates and avoid mobilization were seized. They also found signs for windshields, computers with evidence of illegal activities, questionnaires, and applications.

Law enforcement officials detained the leader of the veterans' organization and charged him under Part 1 of Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces during a special period). The SBU of Bukovina clarified to ZAXID.NET that a preventive measure is currently being chosen for the Bukovinian. Additionally, law enforcement is working to identify all individuals involved in the illegal scheme and hold the guilty parties accountable.