The Dnipro Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the defense sector has reported suspicions against a former military commander in Dnipro. He is accused of complicity in desertion and obstructing the legitimate activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during martial law (Part 5 Article 27, Part 4 Article 408, Part 2 Article 28, Part 1 Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The investigation has revealed that the former commander, along with two civilians, was organizing the escape of servicemen directly from military units. The accomplices were responsible for the financial arrangements and transportation of the «clients». The cost ranged from $5,000 to $7,000. Payments were made in cash, and the transportation was carried out secretly to avoid attracting the attention of the command.
Law enforcement officers documented an attempt to transport two soldiers from a training center. The suspects promised «full protection» – from transportation to cover during inspections. During the transfer of the agreed sum, the organizer and his accomplices were caught «in the act». Their actions posed a real threat to defense capabilities: the number of personnel decreased, and the execution of combat missions was jeopardized.
Prosecutors filed a motion for the application of a preventive measure in the form of detention. Two of his accomplices were also detained.
Investigations are underway into other possible episodes of their criminal activities and connections with officers of the military unit.
It is worth noting that the organizer is involved in a case concerning the fictitious service of a deputy of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council. He was one of those who helped her to serve only «on paper». The court found him guilty of complicity in evading military service and misappropriation of someone else's property (Part 5 Article 27, Part 2 Article 28, Part 4 Article 409, Part 4 Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and, considering his remorse, sentenced him to probation for 3 years.
After this, he was removed from his position and demoted from lieutenant colonel to major, and since April, he has been at the disposal of the unit commander.
Despite this, the major continued his criminal activities. At the time of his arrest, he was in a gambling establishment in Dnipro, where he regularly spent his leisure time. During a search, $3,800 was confiscated from him, which he had not yet lost.
The preliminary investigation is being conducted by the investigators of the State Bureau of Investigation in Poltava with operational support from the Security Service of Ukraine in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a court verdict.