Ukrainians charged thousands of dollars for removal from military conscription database

An investigation into corruption in Ukraine's military recruitment system has uncovered a scheme in which men pay brokers thousands of dollars to have their names removed from the Oberih database — the official registry of men subject to military service. The brokers allegedly have inside contacts with access to the database who can delete records or change status flags.

Scale of the scheme

Prices reportedly range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the urgency and the broker involved. Investigators found that the corruption extends across multiple military commissariat offices. The scheme exploits Ukraine's ongoing military mobilization, under which men of military age face mandatory call-up as Ukraine continues to face manpower shortages at the front.

Broader mobilization context

Ukraine's government has faced significant challenges in managing military mobilization as the war drags into its fifth year. A controversial mobilization law passed in 2024 tightened conscription rules and removed many exemptions, creating strong demand for ways to avoid service. The Oberih scheme is one of several corruption patterns that have emerged in the mobilization process, alongside the selling of fake medical exemptions and bribery at military commissariats.

Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities have opened criminal proceedings into the scheme. Several suspects have been detained, including officials from recruitment offices.