Ukrainian medical staff implicated in £15,000 draft dodging scheme

The SBU and the police conducted an operation in Rivne, a city in western Ukraine, during which they dismantled a criminal network. The illegal activities were orchestrated by the head of a local estate agency and her two accomplices. A total of 26 medical staff were also involved in the plan, including officials from the medical and social expert commissions in the regional centre.

- In exchange for money, the accused assisted those avoiding conscription by using forged documents indicating severe heart or nervous system conditions. The cost of these "services" ranged from £11,500 to £15,000 per client - reports the SBU.

To execute their criminal scheme, the accused completely falsified the medical documentation of individuals evading conscription, focusing especially on false information about their hospitalisations.

Based on these manipulated documents, members of the medical commissions drafted conclusions falsely asserting the "patients" incapacity to serve in the military. Through the coordinated efforts of the accused, many individuals could effortlessly avoid mobilisation.

To find potential clients, the organisers utilised established contacts of the estate agency. The profits were shared among all the criminals - reports the Security Service of Ukraine.

During the searches, investigators discovered over 14 million hryvnias (over £260,000), which were illegally obtained. In addition, fake medical reports, draft protocols, mobile phones, and computer equipment containing evidence of the crime were confiscated.

The detainees were charged with abuse of influence, which could lead to a sentence of up to 5 years in prison. The investigation aims to hold all those involved in this corrupt scheme accountable. The operation was carried out by the SBU in the Rivne region in cooperation with the national police, under the supervision of the regional prosecutor's office.