Resident of Khmelnytskyi Charged for 'Removing from Wanted List' Military Obligors for Up to $10,000 – SBI

Employees of the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) in conjunction with the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) have announced charges against a resident of Khmelnytskyi who allegedly promised to remove military obligors from the wanted list in the 'Oberih' system for a fee ranging from $3,500 to $10,000. According to law enforcement officials, this scheme has been in operation since 2022 and involved individuals who were being sought for evading mobilization.

According to a statement on the official SBI website, the suspect offered his 'services' to those who were being searched for avoiding military conscription. He assured his clients that he had close ties with officials at the Territorial Centers for Recruitment and Social Support (TCRSS) and could influence decisions regarding their status.

The cost of such 'assistance' varied from $3,500 to $10,000 per individual, depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the financial capabilities of the client. This indicates that the suspect was attempting to exploit the mobilization situation in Ukraine, taking advantage of the needs and fears of individuals trying to avoid conscription.

On March 26, 2026, SBI employees detained the individual involved in the case. During searches conducted at his residence, communication devices, documents belonging to military obligors, including medical certificates and powers of attorney, as well as cash in various currencies totaling approximately 2 million hryvnias and a vehicle were seized.

At this time, the man has already been informed of the charges against him for receiving illegal benefits in exchange for influencing decision-making, as stipulated by part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The court has chosen to impose a preventive measure of detention, with the possibility of posting bail exceeding 908,000 hryvnias.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, and investigators are actively working to establish the full circle of individuals involved in this criminal activity. Special attention is being paid to possible connections the suspect may have among officials at the TCRSS, as these structures are directly related to the processes of mobilization and military conscription in Ukraine.

This case has generated significant public resonance, highlighting the issue of corruption within the military conscription system, which unfortunately remains a pressing concern amid the ongoing war. Law enforcement agencies continue to work towards cleansing this area of criminal elements that seek to exploit the situation for their own gain.