Pillows, toys and the border: a creative transfer for draft dodgers ended under suspicion

In Odesa region, law enforcement exposed a 57-year-old resident of Odesa who is suspected of facilitating the illegal transfer of men liable for military service across the state border. On July 3 2026, the police of Odesa Oblast reported this.

According to the investigation, the woman acted in collusion with persons who have not yet been identified. According to law enforcement, she transported “clients” to the border, from where they were to cross it outside official checkpoints. At the end of June 2026, police documented one such operation costing $4,500.

Police say the suspect drove to a gas station in one of the settlements of the Odesa district, where she picked up a man liable for military service. She placed him on the car floor, covered him with pillows and soft toys, and then headed toward the border settlements. In Rozdilna, near an ad hoc drop-off point, the man handed her $700, after which he was to wait for further instructions on the illegal border crossing. It was at this stage, law enforcement says, that the scheme was stopped.

During investigative actions, police seized mobile phones, money and a car, and the court placed these items under arrest. The woman was detained in the procedural manner and was notified of suspicion under part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — for facilitating the illegal transfer of persons across the state border by prior conspiracy of a group of persons for profit. The article’s sanction provides for up to 9 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The court chose a preventive measure for the suspect in the form of detention with the option of posting bail set at UAH 266,000, which she posted. The pre-trial investigation continues, and investigators are identifying all persons involved in this scheme.