SBI reports on suspected deserter who left training center and returned to work at a car service station

Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), in cooperation with the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police, have notified a serviceman of suspicion after he allegedly orchestrated his own escape from a training center.

"Before mobilization, the man worked at a car service station in Kremenchuk. After receiving a summons, he was sent to a training center in Zhytomyr region; however, he did not plan to serve," according to a message on the agency’s website on Wednesday.

Reportedly, the man contacted his employer at the car service station requesting help to leave the unit. The employer involved an acquaintance who agreed to drive the serviceman out of the region in his private car.

"At night, the ‘carrier’ arrived at a designated spot near the military unit. The serviceman stealthily left the territory, changed into civilian clothes, and got into the car. They eventually reached Kremenchuk," the SBI reports.

Upon returning to the city, the man reportedly celebrated his return with a bottle of vodka and went back to work at the same car service station.

SBI officers established his location and notified the serviceman of suspicion of desertion (Part 4 of Article 408 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The driver was notified of suspicion of aiding in desertion (Part 5 of Article 27, Part 4 of Article 408). By court decision, the driver has been remanded in custody.

The sanction for these articles carries a penalty of up to 12 years in prison.