Authorities in Ukraine have charged a senior official from a regional military recruitment office in Chernivtsi Oblast with attempting to facilitate military draft evasion for a fee of $9,000. The official allegedly promised to assist an individual in obtaining medical documentation to declare him unfit for service.
According to the Chernivtsi Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Defense, the 40-year-old official was approached by an acquaintance seeking to extend his deferment from military service due to ongoing studies. The official reportedly cited complications arising from recent legislative changes regarding deferments and proposed an alternative: to secure medical documents indicating disability, which would exempt the individual from military obligations.
The prosecutor’s office stated that the official claimed to have connections within local medical institutions and the military medical commission, asserting he could facilitate the necessary documentation. His services were priced at $9,000.
“Under the procedural guidance of the Chernivtsi Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Defense, the suspect has been informed of charges under Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of influence),” the office reported.
As part of the legal proceedings, a court has placed the suspect under house arrest while investigations continue to identify any additional individuals involved in the alleged scheme.
This incident follows a recent conflict in the Chyhyryn district of Cherkasy Oblast, where military personnel clashed with a veteran undergoing rehabilitation, raising concerns about the treatment of veterans and the conduct of military recruitment offices.
A senior official in Ukraine's military recruitment office faces charges for allegedly offering to help an individual evade military service for a substantial fee. Investigations are ongoing to uncover further involvement in the scheme.