Ukraine’s Ombudsman Warns of ‘Systemic’ Mobilization Corruption, Says Men Can Be Smuggled Out for $70,000

Ukraine's Parliamentary Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, has raised concerns over severe corruption and rights violations within the country's mobilization system. According to Lubinets, a "turnkey" service exists where individuals can be smuggled out of Ukraine for between $50,000 and $70,000. Speaking to Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda on September 1, the ombudsman detailed the varying costs associated with escaping the Territorial Recruitment Centers (TRCs), which can range from $10,000 to $15,000.

The ombudsman highlighted the rapid increase in corruption allegations post-2024, as the government imposed strict mobilization targets of approximately 30,000 individuals per month. This pressure led to the unlawful inclusion of ineligible individuals into military recruitment centers, fostering a widespread culture of corruption.

Lubinets attributed this issue primarily to poor state policies on mobilization. He emphasized that the situation is close to a point of no return, where public resistance may intensify. Lubinets condemns attacks on TRC personnel and criminal acts by TRC employees, asserting that neither should operate outside the law. He has initiated criminal proceedings based on allegations from his office, citing specific cases from Zakarpattia region that illustrate the gravity of the problem, including illegal detentions, removal of exemptions, and demands for payment to secure release.

Lubinets provided examples such as a detainee held for 55 days in a TRC, a veteran pressured to choose between war and money, and around 1,500 young men being removed from military registration in a single day, with some subsequently fleeing the country, providing a glimpse into the tip of the iceberg of his findings.