In Odessa, law enforcement, including the police and the Security Service of Ukraine, uncovered a criminal organization that helped men of conscription age evade mobilization for a fee. Among the group were a private lawyer, a director of a critical enterprise, and their deputy. All suspects have been charged, facing potential imprisonment.

Investigators from the National Police of Ukraine in the Odessa region, in collaboration with the SBU, found that the perpetrators targeted men who had violated mobilization laws and were wanted, offering 'services' to remove them from the search database and formally employ them at an Odessa critical infrastructure enterprise that can reserve its employees.

Law enforcement documented one such operation, which cost the client $9,500. For this sum, the man was removed from the wanted list and registered as employed. However, the 'employee' did not attend work and simply handed over his salary to his supervisor each month. Their criminal activities were halted during another scheme that cost the conscript $11,000. The money was seized as evidence.

Law enforcement also conducted several authorized searches, during which additional evidence of the suspects' involvement in criminal activities was collected.

Based on the gathered evidence, charges were brought against the lawyer and two officials from the enterprise for receiving illicit benefits and obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The maximum penalty under the relevant articles may reach up to 10 years of imprisonment, along with property confiscation.

The arrested lawyer and the deputy director were remanded in custody, while the court has set the measures without the option of bail. The enterprise's director has been declared wanted. The investigation continues, with law enforcement identifying others who may be linked to the criminal activities.