In March this year, a 31-year-old resident of the Zolochiv region devised a plan to transport a man of conscription age beyond Ukraine’s borders. The plan involved the possibility of travelling to Moldova or Romania, avoiding official checkpoints.
The scheme involved transporting the ‘client’ from Lviv to the Chernivtsi region, and then crossing the state border on a quad bike. The ‘smuggler’ provided instructions on preparing for the departure, promising to purchase camouflage gear, including a camouflage uniform and boots.
The cost of the services was 10,000 euros, of which 3,000 euros had to be paid before departure, with the remainder due during the crossing. Payment could be made in US dollars at the exchange rate.
The plan could not be realised — law enforcement officers detained the man after receiving an advance of 3,700 US dollars. He has been charged with organising the illegal transfer of a person across the state border of Ukraine (Part 3, Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
Investigative actions are ongoing, and other individuals involved in the illegal activity are being identified. The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Lviv region.