Up to $50,000 for a "get-out-of-mobilization-clause": how the black market for draft exemption certificates works
A large-scale black market has emerged in Ukraine for “services” related to mobilization and the Territorial Defense Forces, where bribes range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the “outcome.”
This is reported by EP.
According to a journalistic analysis, the cheapest “services” involve minimal interference with military records—specifically, removal from the wanted list or updating data without consequences. At the same time, as the mobilization phase approaches, prices rise sharply.
Specifically, removal from the wanted list can cost between $300 and $2,000, while “unimpeded” updating of military registration data costs around $2,500. For removal from the registry on health grounds via documents and system intervention, approximately $3,000 is requested.
Services directly related to the Military Registration and Enlistment Office (MREO) are more expensive. They may demand around $4,000 for failing to deliver a summons, around $5,000 to “exit” the MREO building without going through the procedures, and up to $6,000 to avoid being taken to the center.
A separate segment involves fictitious employment and deferrals. For example, “work” at a critical infrastructure facility is estimated at approximately $6,000, and a deferral based on forged court decisions—around $7,000.
Comprehensive schemes are significantly more expensive. “Lifetime” removal from the registry is estimated at approximately $9,000, a fictitious medical evacuation at $10,000, and a “green corridor” for leaving the country at around $12,000.
The highest prices are in the so-called medical segment. For influencing the Medical Examination Commission’s decision and a package of documents for departure, they may ask for up to $16,000; for a fictitious diagnosis—about $18,000; and for arranging or certifying unfitness—up to $20,000–$25,000.
The most expensive “service” is arranging a fictitious disability followed by travel abroad—such schemes are estimated at approximately $50,000.
Journalists also note that it is difficult to determine exact average prices, as there are no official statistics, and estimates are based on law enforcement materials and court rulings.
As a reminder, a brazen attack on military personnel from the alert group occurred in Vinnytsia. A man stabbed two representatives of the TCC.
On March 31, an incident occurred between civilians and military personnel of the alert group in the village of Sosonka, Vinnytsia Oblast.
Earlier, the Odesa Regional Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support launched an internal investigation into the use of a weapon by a servicemember.
