In the Ternopil region, law enforcement officers have uncovered a large-scale scheme involving the issuance of false medical certificates, which may have been used to obtain deferrals from conscription. Suspicions arose that the chair of the medical advisory committee at the district hospital, three of its members and two intermediaries. According to the investigation, between 2024 and 2026 they may have processed around 1,000 false conclusions, whilst for a single document they demanded $6,000 to $12,000.
- The entire medical board came under suspicion.
- We are talking about around 1,000 questionable conclusions.
- The documents provided grounds for a deferral.
- They charged between $6 and $12 thousand for processing the paperwork.
- The investigation is looking into other possible suspects.
How the scheme worked
According to the investigation, doctors entered false information into medical records regarding the state of health of the relatives of those liable for military service.
The conclusions stated that such relatives allegedly require constant care from others, although a proper medical examination may not have taken place. These documents were subsequently used by those liable for military service to obtain a deferment from mobilisation.
According to the police, the investigation believes the head of the medical board to be the organiser of the scheme. According to the police, she enlisted the help of three other members of the board and two intermediaries.
The intermediaries sought out clients, collected documents from their relatives and passed the paperwork on to the doctors. The commission then drew up the reports and certified them with their seals.
They charged between 1,000 and 12,000 for a single report
According to the investigation, the cost of processing one such document amounted to from $6,000 to $12,000.
Law enforcement officials believe that the scheme operated for almost three years — between 2024 and 2026. During this time, they may have processed around thousands of conclusions on the need for ongoing care for the relatives of those liable for military service.
The documents obtained could have been used not only to secure deferrals but also, according to the investigation, to enable certain conscripts to travel abroad legally.
Four doctors and two intermediaries are under suspicion
Four medical staff have been notified that they are suspected of obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and forgery in the course of duty.
The chair of the commission is also accused of facilitating the illegal smuggling of conscripts across the state border. One of the intermediaries has also been charged with obstructing the activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, whilst another is charged in absentia with abuse of influence.
During the searches, law enforcement officers seized medical records, mobile phones and other items, which are currently being examined as part of the criminal proceedings.
The court has already imposed pre-trial measures on four medical professionals and one of the intermediaries.
It was not a medical examination board, but a medical advisory committee
The law enforcement reports specifically mention Medical Advisory Board — MAB, rather than the military medical board.
In this case, the Medical and Social Assessment Commission drew up reports on the individual’s need for constant care from others. According to the investigation, it was precisely these documents that were subsequently used by those liable for military service to registration of deferred payment.
The investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement agencies are also investigating the possible involvement of other hospital staff and officials from state institutions in the scheme. Suspicion does not imply a finding of guilt — only a court can reach a final decision.
