In March 2025, three men organized a scheme for the illegal crossing of the border for conscription-age individuals. They offered their services through “Telegram” channels.

The organizers of the scheme transported men by car from Vinnytsia to the crossing point, provided them with boats, and instructed them on how to act during the crossing to Moldova. Thus, at least five men were smuggled abroad.

The price for smuggling increased over time from 2,700 US dollars to 7,000 euros per person.

In May 2025, after receiving 14,000 US dollars for smuggling two individuals, the perpetrators were detained. They are charged with illegal smuggling of individuals across the state border of Ukraine, committed by a group of individuals (part 3 of article 15, part 3 of article 332, parts 2, 3 of article 27, part 3 of article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The court chose preventive measures for the accused in the form of detention with an alternative of bail and house arrest.

The procedural guidance was carried out by prosecutors of the Vinnytsia Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the field of defense of the Southern region. The pre-trial investigation is conducted by investigators of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police in Vinnytsia region, with operational support from the Security Service of Ukraine in Vinnytsia region, the Migration Police Department of the National Police in Vinnytsia region, and the Mohyliv-Podilskyi Border Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

Note: according to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a guilty verdict of the court.