$15,000 to flee service: the SBI uncovered a scheme at a training center in the Lviv region

At a training center of the National Army Academy in Lviv region, law enforcement officers uncovered a group consisting of an AWOL serviceman and a former law enforcement officer who, according to the investigation, helped military personnel leave service without authorization for $10,000 to $15,000.

This was reported by the State Bureau of Investigation.

“SBI officers, with force support from the Western Territorial Directorate of the Military Law Enforcement Service, exposed an organized group that had set up a systematic ‘business’ helping servicemen leave service.”

The scheme operated at the training center of the National Army Academy. For $10,000 to $15,000, the suspects provided full support: instructions, removal from the unit, transportation, and delivery home.

According to the investigation, the group included an AWOL serviceman, a former law enforcement officer, and a civilian. They looked for willing participants directly at the training ground and “persuaded them to leave service without authorization.”

According to the SBI, the organizer was a serviceman who had previously used a similar scheme himself and then began profiting from others.

Investigators say the participants in the scheme changed into military uniforms, posed as officers, used forged documents, changed phone numbers, and traveled in a vehicle with foreign registration plates.

It is also reported that in one case, under the pretext of checking for listening devices, the suspects forced a “client” to undress, took his money, documents, and phones, and then left him in one of the region’s towns.

SBI investigators documented several such episodes. They are currently checking whether there were other cases as well.

The detainees were notified that they are suspected of organizing desertion by a group acting in prior conspiracy under martial law. Another participant was charged in absentia and is being sought.

The court ordered the suspects held in custody. They face up to 12 years in prison.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Investigators are also checking the possible involvement of officials from the training center.