The National Police have uncovered a group of individuals who were ‘abducting’ soldiers from their units for $15,000
How the scheme worked
According to the National Police, the group’s members operated in the Volyn, Lviv, Rivne, Zhytomyr and Chernivtsi regions.
Investigators believe that since November 2025, they have been involved in at least ten cases of the illegal removal of military personnel from Defence Forces units.
According to law enforcement, the scheme was organised by two former military personnel and their accomplice from the Volyn region.
Using their military experience and connections within the armed forces, they sought out those willing to desert, devised escape routes, coordinated their movements and explained how to avoid checks.
According to the investigation, the suspects facilitated the soldiers’ escape and subsequent hiding.
To maintain secrecy, they used hired cars, changed number plates, and employed GPS trackers and special mobile phones.
In addition, law enforcement officers established that the participants in the scheme used connections in medical institutions. Through these, they organised fictitious treatment for servicemen in civilian hospitals, from where they subsequently carried out their so-called ‘abduction’.
In their conversations, the suspects used code words and methods of concealment.
Arrest and searches
With the support of the TOR special patrol police unit, law enforcement officers arrested the organiser and two of his accomplices during another ‘abduction’ of a serviceman and the handover of 8,000 dollars.
Another member of the group was detained in accordance with Article 615 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
Three individuals who had deserted their unit were also detained.
As part of the special operation, law enforcement officers carried out 23 searches in the Volyn and Rivne regions. According to other information from the investigation, there were 18 searches.
During the investigative operations, weapons (including unregistered ones), vehicles, telephones, medical records, draft notes and other material evidence were seized.
Suspicions and precautionary measures
Six individuals have been charged, including members of the group and military personnel who deserted.
Their actions were classified under Part 5 of Article 407 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine on unauthorised absence from a military unit or place of service and Part 4 of Article 408 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine on desertion.
Three accomplices were notified of suspicion of organising and aiding desertion, and two military personnel of desertion.
The court remanded the two former servicemen and the two serving soldiers in custody without the right to bail. Their accomplice was placed under a preventive measure in the form of night-time house arrest.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.
