In Odesa, police and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) have uncovered a criminal organization that was helping men of conscription age evade mobilization in exchange for bribes. The suspects include a private lawyer, the head of a critical infrastructure enterprise, and his deputy. They have all been charged with crimes that could lead to imprisonment.

Investigators from the Main Directorate of the National Police in Odesa, together with SBU officers, found that the criminals targeted men who were wanted for violating mobilization laws and offered to remove them from the search database and formally employ them at a critical infrastructure company in Odesa that protects its employees from conscription.

Law enforcement documented one such deal, which cost the client $9,500. For this amount, the man was removed from the wanted list and secured a position within the enterprise. However, he did not actually report for work and simply transferred his salary to his supervisor each month. Their illegal activities were halted during another transaction that cost the conscript $11,000. As soon as the money was handed over, investigators seized it as evidence.

Authorities also conducted several authorized searches, uncovering additional evidence linking the suspects to their criminal activities.

Based on the collected evidence, the lawyer and two officials from the enterprise have been charged with receiving illegal benefits for actions that obstruct the lawful operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, committed in conspiracy with a group of individuals.

The maximum penalty under the sanctions of Article 368 and Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is up to 10 years of imprisonment with the possibility of disqualification from holding certain positions or engaging in specific activities for up to three years, along with the confiscation of property.

The lawyer and the deputy director of the enterprise have been placed in custody without the option of bail, although bail exceeding three million hryvnias is permissible.

The director of the enterprise has been declared wanted. The investigation continues. Law enforcement is identifying individuals who may be involved in the criminal activities, as well as those who might have utilized the services of these criminals. The procedural supervision is conducted by the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the field of defense of the Southern region.