The police uncovered military personnel who were helping soldiers desert from the Armed Forces of Ukraine in exchange for money.

In Dnipropetrovsk region, law enforcement officials apprehended a group of military personnel who, for a fee, assisted other soldiers in deserting. This was reported on Thursday, February 27, by the National Police press service.

According to law enforcement, the scheme was organized by a 38-year-old serviceman who enlisted several subordinates to assist. For 1,000 to 2,000 dollars, the military helped deserters leave the military base without obstruction, pass through checkpoints, and provided instructions on how to hide from law enforcement. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that for 4,000 dollars, they offered to arrange transfers to rear units to avoid participation in combat operations.

Law enforcement conducted 13 searches at the residences of the suspects, during which they seized material evidence: mobile phones, vehicles, handwritten notes, military documents, as well as weapons and drugs.

Currently, investigators have announced suspicions against 11 individuals for desertion (Part 4 of Article 408 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and for obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The organizer of the scheme is also charged with receiving illegal benefits (Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Recall that at the end of January, the State Bureau of Investigation detained a couple, consisting of a lawyer and a law enforcement officer in Zaporizhzhia, who were helping soldiers to evade military service. They demanded 60,000 UAH for their services.