Ukraine Busts $8,000 Army Desertion Ring in Chernihiv Region

Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigations (DBR), in cooperation with the Armed Forces' Military Law Enforcement Service, uncovered a scheme in Chernihiv region facilitating military servicemen's desertion from army training centers.

Four people have been served with suspicion notices: the organizer — a civilian not in military service — along with two servicemen and one more civilian.

According to investigators, the civilian organizer learned of a serviceman's intention to illegally leave his post and offered to help for money. He recruited two servicemen and another civilian to implement the scheme, with each given specific roles — including one serviceman tasked with ensuring passage through checkpoints.

The scheme charged $8,000 per person for helping soldiers desert from training centers to evade further military service. The investigation is ongoing.