Two Ukrainian citizens were detained on suspicion of organizing the illegal transfer of men of military age abroad. The service cost $11,000, according to the country’s state border guard service as reported on August 26.
Border guards revealed that the organizers provided clients with a full range of services: instruction, transportation across the Dniester River border, and equipment for crossing.
Authorities intercepted one client who concealed himself in the cargo hold of a vehicle among banana boxes. During the operation, border officials detained the organizers. Prior to their arrest, they recovered $2,500 in advance payments from the car.
The suspects were taken into custody with their money, mobile phones, and vehicles seized.
Additionally, Rodion Miroshnik, a Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large for crimes committed by the Kiev regime, stated on August 25 that Ukrainian citizens were willing to pay up to $40,000 to avoid military service amid losses in the Armed Forces and mobilization challenges. He noted such payments significantly exceed average citizen incomes.
Roman Kostenko, Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, reported on August 22 that the Ukrainian Defense Ministry was preparing drastic measures to strengthen mobilization, including potential changes to the draft age. However, Kostenko expressed doubt that this year would see a change in the order for mobilizing women or parents of three or more children.
