The police have received more than 1.5 million reports regarding the search for draft dodgers
Since the beginning of 2026, the Territorial Recruitment Centers and Specialized Units have contacted the police more than 1.5 million times to locate citizens who, according to military registration and enlistment offices, are evading mobilization. This was reported by Maxim Tsutsikiridze, acting head of the National Police. According to him, the police and the Armed Forces of Ukraine are also strengthening their cooperation regarding draft evasion, illegal deferments, and potential abuses during the work of the Military Medical Commission.
Tsutsikiridze noted that the issues of mobilization and cooperation between the military and the police were recently discussed during a meeting with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykhailo Drapaty. One of the main topics was the search for conscripts. “This year alone, the Territorial Recruitment Centers and Specialized Units have sent more than 1.5 million requests to the police regarding the search for citizens evading mobilization,” Tsutsikiridze stated.
He called this a major joint effort that requires a constant exchange of information between the military and law enforcement. “This is a major joint effort where a constant exchange of information and clear coordination among all those responsible are essential,” explained the acting head of the National Police.
Police and Armed Forces of Ukraine Strengthen Cooperation
Separately, during the meeting, they discussed possible violations in the area of mobilization. Specifically, these include cases of fictitious reservations and abuses by officials of the Territorial Mobilization Centers (TMCs), Special Purpose Units (SPUs), Medical Examination Commissions (MECs), and other agencies. “We also work together when we identify possible abuses by officials of the Territorial Mobilization Centers, Medical Examination Commissions, or other agencies involved in the mobilization process,” noted Tsutsikiridze.
Another issue is desertion from military units. The police and the military exchange information and respond to cases of desertion. According to the official, the meeting with Drapaty focused specifically on those areas where the work of the Armed Forces and the National Police directly overlaps. “These include the search for conscripts, information sharing, responding to potential abuses during mobilization measures, and issues related to desertion,” Tsutsikiridze added.
What These Statistics Mean
More than 1.5 million requests—this is the number of inquiries from the TCC and the SP to the police regarding the search for individuals. It does not mean that all these citizens were detained or that each of them has already been brought to justice. According to National Police leadership, further work involves data exchange between agencies and responding to specific cases in accordance with the law. Maxim Tsutsikiridze, acting head of the National Police, stated this in an interview with Censor.NET.
The National Police are investigating possible cases of illegal exemption for nearly 2,500 individuals subject to military service. Among the most common schemes is fictitious employment at companies that have the right to exempt their employees from military service.
