The head of the Khmelnytskyi RDA has been exposed for orchestrating a scheme to evade mobilization.

The acting head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration has been exposed in a corruption scheme. The official promised employees of a company whose reservation had not been extended to arrange for limited fitness for military service or to place them in rear service positions. The suspect was detained while receiving a bribe of 1,600 dollars. This was reported on February 21 by the specialized prosecutor's office in the defense sector of the Western region.

According to the investigation, the first deputy head of the Khmelnytskyi district administration, who was acting as the head and was a member of the commission at the united city military recruitment center, established a corruption scheme to evade military service.

As ZAXID.NET learned from its sources, this concerns 65-year-old Viktor Palamarchuk, who served as the acting head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration since June 2024.

“At the end of 2024, a local entrepreneur approached the official to inquire about the procedure for reserving his employees. His company specializes in the installation of gas and water supply systems, heating, and sewage. The official stated that reservations were currently suspended, but offered to help the men avoid mobilization due to his connections,” – reported the Lviv territorial office of the State Bureau of Investigation.

The official subsequently categorized conscripts as having limited fitness for military service due to health issues or suitable for service in rear units or training centers. He priced these services at 1,600 dollars per person.

The official was detained while receiving the agreed amount.

He was charged under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (extortion and receipt of unlawful benefits). The sanction of the article provides for up to 10 years of imprisonment. Currently, investigators are selecting a preventive measure for Viktor Palamarchuk and deciding on his suspension from duties.

Additionally, Viktor Palamarchuk was born on January 24, 1959, in the village of Mykhailivka, Rivne region. He graduated from the Transcarpathian Forestry Technical School and the Khmelnytskyi Technological Institute of Household Services. Until 1998, Viktor Palamarchuk held various positions in military units. From November 11, 1998, to April 2011, he was the general director of LLC “Agrico.” Later, he headed “Electrotrans” in Khmelnytskyi. He served as the first deputy head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration until the dismissal of Anatolii Katerynchuk. Since June 2024, he has been the acting head of the district administration.