The alleged operation reportedly combined fake employment, cryptocurrency payments, and surveillance targeting an anti-corruption investigator.

The NABU and SAPO have notified an employee of the Security Service of Ukraine of suspicion. Investigators believe he organized a scheme to illegally exempt conscripts from mobilization through official reservations.

According to law enforcement authorities, the suspect acted together with an accomplice and the director of a company that had critical-importance status. Conscripts were formally hired by the company, after which they were granted reservations from mobilization.

At the same time, the employees did not actually perform their job duties. They were expected to return their wages to the scheme’s participants. The organizers received payment for these services in cash and cryptocurrency. Investigators estimate that they earned nearly UAH 1 million from the illegal reservations.

Suspected money laundering

In addition to organizing the illegal reservations, the SBU employee is suspected of laundering more than UAH 18.4 million. According to investigators, the money may have been used to:

purchase and register real estate;
buy a plot of land;
purchase a car;
deposit funds into a bank account.

The individuals involved are being investigated under articles concerning the acceptance of an improper benefit, obstruction of the activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, money laundering, and complicity in criminal offenses.

Accomplice suspected of installing surveillance devices

The SBU employee’s accomplice has also been charged with illegally acquiring and using special technical devices for surveillance.

Investigators believe he may have installed such devices in the apartment of the head of one of the NABU detectives’ units. The unit is investigating corruption offenses in the defense sector.

Investigations into illegal reservations

On August 11, the National Police reported suspicion to 76 heads of territorial recruitment and social support centers at various levels.

Law enforcement authorities are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the possible illegal reservation of nearly 2,500 conscripts.