SBI uncovers 1 UAH mln in profits from draft dodger smuggling
The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has documented over UAH 1 million in illegal profits from the smuggling of draft-age men across the border, and 171 indictments have been sent to court against 251 individuals involved in schemes for draft evaders, SBI Director Oleksiy Sukhachev has said.
In a comment to Interfax-Ukraine, he stressed that combating the illegal smuggling of draft-age men across the state border is a priority in the Bureau's work.
"Quite often, law enforcement officers, local officials, employees of the Territorial Recuritment Centers and Social Support Centers are involved in such illegal schemes," Sukhachev noted.
According to him, this is not just a criminal transaction, but a phenomenon that directly undermines the country's defense capabilities.
"Making money from the war by helping men evade mobilization or illegally leave the territory of Ukraine is absolutely unacceptable. This is a direct blow to the state and those who defend it on the front lines every day. Anyone who organizes or facilitates such transactions should be aware that punishment will be inevitable," he said.
Sukhachev reported that in total, since the beginning of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigation has investigated more than 570 cases under Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - illegal smuggling of persons across the border.
"Currently, State Bureau employees have already sent 171 indictments to court against 251 individuals. During these investigations, more than 1 million UAH of ill-gotten gains were documented, and more than 58 million UAH of property of the defendants was seized," Sukhachev informed.
He clarified that this is not just about isolated cases, but also about large-scale schemes.
"We are actively cooperating on this issue with the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police, the State Border Guard Service and in clear coordination with the Prosecutor General's Office. We are trying to effectively counteract this phenomenon in all regions of the country," the SBI director concluded.