Up to $10,000 for "unfitness": scheme exposed at a territorial recruitment center in Zakarpattia

In Zakarpattia, in Mukachevo Raion law enforcement exposed a large-scale scheme for the illegal removal of persons liable for military service from the military register. According to the investigation, during 2022–2024 without legal grounds “struck off” at least 1577 men, and for the corresponding “services” could charge from $5,000 to $10,000.

About the results of the investigation within the program “The Other Side of TCC and VLK” 7 August 2026  reported the Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ruslan Kravchenko. According to the investigation, the scheme was organized by the then head of the Mukachevo Raion TCC and SP and his subordinate, who was responsible for military registration and bookings.

Law enforcement believes that the illegal removal of men from the military register was effectively put on stream. False information was entered into military registration, medical and other official documents, after which those liable for military service were without legal grounds declared unfit for military service. For such a “service”, according to the investigation, clients paid from $5,000 to $10,000.

Overall, investigators established at least 1577 people who may have been unjustifiably removed from the military register. Of them, 1142 men were allegedly declared unfit due to health reasons.

When the threat of exposure of the scheme arose, according to the investigation, the suspects began to get rid of documents that could contain evidence. In August 2024 the then head of the raion TCC and SP allegedly drew up a fictitious act on the seizure of documents, after which certificates, decisions of military-medical commissions and other medical documentation were destroyed.

By law these materials were supposed to be kept for 75 years. However, investigators were able to restore the necessary information. They used data from the National Health Service of Ukraine, witness testimony, the results of expert examinations and other materials from the criminal proceedings.

So far 120 people who were previously illegally removed from the register have already been reinstated as liable for military service. The verification of documents for the remaining men continues. As part of the investigation, law enforcement carried out 17 searches at current and former employees of the Mukachevo RTCC and SP, members of VLK and other persons who may be involved in the scheme.

Two former officials have been notified of suspicion of obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during a special period. Prosecutors said they will insist in court on imposing on both suspects the preventive measure of remand in custody without the possibility of bail. The investigation continues. Law enforcement is establishing the role of individual members of the military-medical commission and other possible participants in the scheme.

On the eve, 6 August 2026, local media reported large-scale investigative actions regarding former employees of the Mukachevo RTCC and SP and members of VLK. At that time, they were checking the possible illegal removal from the military register of about 1,500 people.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt is proven in the prescribed manner and established by a court conviction.

Earlier we wrote:

• Without a visit to the TCC: volunteers can mobilize directly to the chosen military unit
• The military “Bozhenka”, admin of a Telegram channel for draft evaders, will stand trial
• Three TCC officials added 276 fictitious mobilized persons to reports, including deceased individuals
• TCC chief detained for bribery: “reservations” for employees became a scheme during the war