In Odesa, police and the SBU have exposed a criminal group that assisted men of conscription age in evading military service in exchange for bribes. Among those involved are a private lawyer and the heads of a critical infrastructure enterprise. The suspects have been charged, facing potential imprisonment.

Investigators found that the criminals targeted men of conscription age who had violated mobilization laws and were wanted by military enlistment offices, offering to remove them from the search database in exchange for money. One client paid $9,500 to be taken off the list and was formally employed at a critical infrastructure company, although he never actually worked there, merely handing over his salary to the criminals.

The illegal activities were halted during another transaction that cost the conscript $11,000. Law enforcement seized evidence during several authorized searches that linked the suspects to the crime.

Based on the collected evidence, charges were brought against the lawyer and two officials of the enterprise under sections of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which carry a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and asset confiscation.

The lawyer and the deputy director have been remanded in custody without bail, while the director of the enterprise is currently wanted. The investigation is ongoing, as authorities are identifying others who may be involved in this criminal activity.