Stacks of dollars instead of a carpet: how much was earned from fake disabilities for draft dodgers

In Kharkiv, law enforcement officials uncovered a group that, according to investigators, helped men liable for military service obtain fictitious diagnoses, disability status and deferments from mobilization. During searches, investigators found so much cash that bundles of dollars covered the bedroom floor. The total value of the seized cash exceeded ₴14.3 million. This was reported on July 29, 2026 by the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.

According to law enforcement, five people were involved in the scheme: a neurologist, the head of the therapeutic department of one medical facility, a driver, a computer data-entry operator of the regional health institution and their civilian accomplice.

Investigators believe the driver and the civilian member of the group sought out men liable for military service who wanted to obtain a deferment from mobilization. At the same time, the potential clients may not have had real illnesses that would justify establishing a disability.

For their “services” the scheme participants allegedly demanded from $5,000 to $8,000 per person. After the money was handed over, medical staff prepared conclusions with fabricated diagnoses and created electronic referrals to the regional medical center on that basis.

The computer data-entry operator accepted and registered the documents in the electronic system. They were then forwarded for review to an expert team assessing a person’s everyday functioning.

Based on the prepared documents, disability status was assigned to those liable for military service. The obtained status granted the men a deferment from mobilization, although, according to investigators, the medical grounds for such decisions were falsified.

During the sanctioned searches, the following were seized from the suspects:

• more than $243,000;
• more than €50,000;
• about ₴750,000;
• £700.

At the National Bank of Ukraine exchange rate, the total value of the found cash exceeds ₴14.3 million. The footage released by law enforcement shows numerous bundles of money spread across the room’s floor.

All five suspects were detained in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. They were notified of suspicions under part 2 of Article 28 and part 1 of Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — obstruction of the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in a special period, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy.

At the prosecutor’s request, the court placed four of the suspects in custody without the right to post bail. The issue of a preventive measure for the fifth suspect is still being decided.

Law enforcement continues to identify other possible participants in the scheme, as well as those liable for military service who may have used the scheme. The pre-trial investigation and operational support are being carried out by the SBU Directorate in the Kharkiv region. Under the Constitution of Ukraine, persons are presumed innocent until their guilt is proven by a court.

Previously we wrote:

• Fake marriage for $9,000: in Mykolaiv region a woman with a disability was drawn into a scheme for a draft evader
• “Service package” for $29,000: TCC, search and II disability group in one corruption story
• A cancer patient’s stone for a draft evader: a doctor was exposed in a cynical mobilization scheme
• Paper disability for a deferment and $450,000
• “Limited fitness” for $6,000: in Zakarpattia the head of the VLK was detained