165 teachers for 50 children: in Kyiv region they were selling fictitious "teacher positions" for $10,000

In the Kyiv region, law enforcement exposed a scheme under which men liable for military service were fictitiously employed in private educational institutions so they could obtain a deferment from mobilization. For a “teacher position” one had to pay $10,000, after which personnel documents were prepared and certificates issued for submission to the TCC and SP. The results of the investigation were reported on 13 August 2026 by the Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko and the National Police of Ukraine.

The scale of the student-to-staff ratios in the institutions drew particular attention: in four lyceums about 50 children were enrolled, while officially more than 165 teachers were registered there. Of them, 150 were men of conscription age. At the same time, this does not mean that all 150 were fictitious employees: the National Police reports that at least 20 cases of such employment have been documented so far.

According to the investigation, the registered “teachers” in fact did not participate in the educational process. Some of the men almost never appeared at the lyceums and did not conduct lessons, although on paper they could have been teaching physics, mathematics, art, technology and even working as primary school teachers.

Law enforcement established that for the opportunity to join a school’s staff the men liable for military service transferred $10,000 to a crypto wallet. After payment confirmation the administration processed the employment and the certificate which the man could submit to the TCC and SP as a basis for obtaining a deferment.

Formally such employees were even paid salaries. However, according to the National Police, the money they received was supposed to be returned to the educational institutions. In addition, the suspects allegedly transferred additional monthly payments supposedly for taxes and mandatory charges.

At the same time, there is a discrepancy in official statements about the size of the monthly supplement. Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko reported $1,000 per month, while the National Police names an amount of about $700 and notes that payments could have been credited to the lyceums’ accounts under the purpose “Educational services”.

To create the appearance of real teaching work the scheme was much more complex than simply issuing a certificate. According to the police, approximately once every two months the fictitiously employed men had to come to the educational institutions and fill out the necessary documentation.

They were also sent ready-made teaching and methodological materials via Telegram. The “teachers” had to upload these files to the lyceums’ electronic educational platforms, creating digital traces of allegedly real teaching activity.

According to the investigation, the activities of several private lyceums were coordinated by a co-founder of one of the institutions. She allegedly distributed roles among other participants and controlled the division of the received money. Her son, law enforcement says, sought potential “clients”, while heads of other institutions registered the men in teaching positions and issued the required documents.

11 August 2026 law enforcement carried out 53 searches in private educational institutions, residences and vehicles of the suspects in Kyiv and the Kyiv region. They seized documentation, computer equipment, phones, lyceum stamps, rough notes and cash.

According to Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, at a single address law enforcement discovered $52,850 and €10,000.

The Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, commenting on the exposed scheme, drew attention to the contrast between the servicemen who defend the country and the attempts by some citizens to buy the opportunity to avoid mobilization.

“While some Ukrainians defend the state, others try to buy the opportunity to stay aside. And the organizers of such schemes profit from the war.”

Five representatives of private lyceums were detained. According to the Prosecutor General, they were notified of suspicions of obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, committed by a group of persons by prior agreement.

Another 21 men, who, according to the investigation, used the scheme and obtained deferments, were notified by Ruslan Kravchenko of suspicions of evading conscription during mobilization. The National Police separately notes that among such “teachers” were men aged from 26 to 50 years.

At the same time, there is a small discrepancy between the two official statements: the Prosecutor General’s data imply 26 suspects — 5 organizers and another 21 men, whereas the headline of the National Police’s official release indicates 25 persons. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing; law enforcement is identifying other people who may have received illegal deferments and is checking the full circle of those involved.

The Prosecutor General emphasized that using educational institutions as a cover for such schemes should not exempt either the organizers or their clients from responsibility.

“Education cannot be a cover for evasion from service. Those who create such schemes, and those who knowingly use them, must be held accountable.”

The actions of the five detained representatives of the lyceums were qualified under Part 2 Art. 28, Part 1 Art. 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, and the actions of the men liable for military service who, according to the investigation, used the scheme — under Art. 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The pre-trial investigation is being conducted under the procedural supervision of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office. In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt is established by a guilty verdict of a court.

Previously we wrote:

• He valued influence on the TCC at $2,500: in Mykolaiv region a city council official was placed under house arrest
• TCC in investigators’ sights: charges announced to 76 managers
• Up to $10,000 for “unfitness”: a scheme in the TCC uncovered in Zakarpattia
• “Honest conscription” began with searches: law enforcement are checking over 100 TCCs
• In Mykolaiv the SBU detained three sellers of forged passports for draft evaders: they prepared over 150 forgeries!