The Department of Internal Security within the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, is conducting an extensive operation codenamed "Ukhyliant" (Evader). The primary objective of this initiative is to uncover corruption schemes designed for the illicit acquisition of deferments or exemptions from military service during mobilization, as reported by the press service of the Military Law Enforcement Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to the Military Law Enforcement Service, the operation is divided into several phases: "Opikun" (Guardian), "Hippocrates", "Themis", and "Nemesis".
During the "Opikun" phase, a review of documents submitted by conscripts to district and city territorial recruitment and social support centers (TRCCs) for deferment purposes was carried out.
"Over 2,124 individuals were identified whose documents showed signs of forgery. For each established case, relevant materials have been forwarded to law enforcement agencies for decisions within their jurisdiction," the statement reads.
Furthermore, the Military Law Enforcement Service, in cooperation with the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police, executed 8 phases of practical implementation. As a result, 515 searches were conducted, and 389 individuals were notified of suspicion.
The "Hippocrates" phase focuses on uncovering the illicit activities of medical personnel at Medical and Social Expert Commissions (MSEC), Medical Boards (LLK), and Military Medical Commissions (VLC), who issued documents for deferment or exemption from military service based on fictitious diagnoses.
"Within the framework of criminal proceedings investigated for offenses under Part 1 of Article 366, Part 3 of Article 368, and Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police, the activities of a group of medical professionals from a regional communal enterprise have been documented. Thirty-four conscripts have been identified who obtained deferments based on fabricated diagnoses," the Military Law Enforcement Service reports.
During the "Themis" phase, law enforcement officers worked to expose schemes where court decisions were utilized to illegally obtain grounds for deferment from mobilization.
"In collaboration with the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police, the activities of the head of a district court have been documented and halted. According to the investigation, this individual received illicit benefits for issuing favorable decisions regarding the establishment of sole parental care and upbringing of a child by the father. Currently, over 40 such court decisions have been identified. The head of the district court has been notified of suspicion under Part 1 of Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine," the statement indicates.
The "Nemesis" phase involves countering the fictitious employment of conscripts in secondary education institutions, which was used to secure deferment from conscription.
"In conjunction with the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police, 61 sanctioned searches were carried out. As a result of the operation, five heads of educational institutions were apprehended and notified of suspicion under Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. An additional 29 conscripts were notified of suspicion under Article 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine," the Military Law Enforcement Service announced.
It is noted that the operation is ongoing. The Military Law Enforcement Service, together with other law enforcement agencies, continues to identify the organizers, intermediaries, and other participants in schemes who attempt to exploit corruption ties, forged documents, or fictitious grounds to illegally evade military service.