In Transcarpathia, two ophthalmologists were exposed for issuing fake diagnoses to draft dodgers.

In Transcarpathia, law enforcement officials uncovered two ophthalmologists who falsified medical histories of conscripts and provided them with fake disabilities. This enabled the men to evade mobilization and illegally leave the country, reported the Security Service of Ukraine in the Transcarpathian region on Saturday, January 4.

The investigation revealed that two ophthalmologists from a hospital in Transcarpathia were falsifying the medical histories of conscripts in exchange for bribes starting at $6,000, while also providing them with fake hospitalizations. These documents were then submitted to the medical and social expert commission, where the diagnoses were confirmed, and disability groups were assigned. This allowed the clients of the doctors to leave Ukraine without any obstacles.

Law enforcement officials documented the receipt of a $6,000 bribe by one of the doctors involved in the scheme.

As part of the case, SBU agents conducted eight searches at various medical institutions in the region, at the medical and social expert commission center, and at the homes of the suspects. They seized documents confirming the criminal activities as well as cash in foreign currency.

Both medical professionals have been notified of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of influence). They face up to five years in prison. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

It is worth noting that due to the exposure of large-scale corruption schemes, as of January 1, 2025, the medical and social expert commissions (MSEC) in Ukraine that established disabilities have ceased operations. Instead of the MSECs, expert teams will operate in the regions. For example, you can find out what the new format of operation for expert commissions will be in Lviv by reading the blog on ZAXID.NET.