Ukrainian Soldier Arrested for Plotting to Smuggle National Guard Member to Moldova for $20,000

Ukraine's military prosecutor's office has announced suspicions against a serviceman from one of the ZSU units in the Zaporizhzhia region. He is accused of organizing the illegal transfer of a National Guard member across the state border, bypassing official checkpoints.

According to the investigation, in May 2026, the suspect used the Telegram messaging app to arrange the departure from Ukraine, agreeing on a route and providing instructions for the “trip,” including clothing and subsequent movement within the country. The price for the service was set at $20,000.

On May 30, the suspect met the National Guard member in Zaporizhzhia and accompanied him towards the city's exit. During the trip, the suspect revealed that the final destination was the city of Uman, where the agreed $20,000 would be handed over. After that, accomplices were to provide temporary accommodation and civilian clothes, and within 2–3 days, when a group of people wishing to illegally leave Ukraine would be formed, further instructions for crossing the border and transfer to Moldova would be given. The suspect claimed that another trusted person would meet the group in Moldova.

At a checkpoint, the suspect presented his military ID in an attempt to avoid a thorough check of the passenger. However, he was exposed and detained the same day. Searches uncovered $20,000, a mobile phone, documents, and a vehicle.

At the request of the prosecutor, the court ordered pre-trial detention with the possibility of posting bail in the amount of 266,240 hryvnias. As of now, the bail has not been paid, and the suspect remains in custody.