Law enforcement authorities have dismantled two illegal schemes for smuggling draft-age men across the state border. The organizers were apprehended in Lviv and Bukovyna regions.
A criminal group in Chernivtsi charged $11,000 per client, while their Lviv counterparts offered similar “services” for $7,000.
Arrests in Lviv Region
In the Lviv region, investigators and operatives detained a 38-year-old woman from Lviv who facilitated the illegal border crossing of draft-age men. She recruited individuals wishing to leave the country, promising safe passage to EU countries. The suspect was apprehended at a border checkpoint while attempting to smuggle clients.
Smuggling Operation in Bukovyna
Another operation was halted in Bukovyna, where offenders charged $11,000 to transport men from other regions to the Romanian border. The scheme included:
- Passing through checkpoints.
- Arranging accommodation in Bukovyna.
- Organizing illegal border crossings outside official points.
The ringleader was arrested in Chernivtsi during the receipt of an advance payment. Two drivers involved in the operation were detained in a border village, where they planned to guide the men through forested areas into Romania.
Apprehension of Offenders
In addition to the organizers, two draft-age men attempting to cross the border illegally were detained. Administrative protocols were filed against them.
Criminal Proceedings and Penalties
The suspects were charged under:
- Part 3, Article 369 – offering or giving unlawful benefits to officials.
- Part 3, Article 332 – illegal transportation of persons across Ukraine’s state border.
They face up to 9 years in prison.
Coordination with Border Forces
The operations involved officers from the 7th Carpathian Border Guard Unit (Lviv) and the 31st Border Guard Unit (Chernivtsi), under the guidance of the Lviv Specialized Defense Prosecutor’s Office and the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
Source: Strategic Investigations Department, National Police of Ukraine