A retired couple administered a Viber group about the movement of the Territorial Recruitment Centers: the court issued a verdict

The Cherkasy District Court of Cherkasy region issued a verdict in a criminal case concerning two residents of Cherkasy district who were accused of creating obstacles to the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during a special period by prior conspiracy. This was reported by the court. 

Circumstances of the case and the defendants' position

The court established that the defendants — a retired couple — administered a Viber group called "Police Presence." Throughout January 2026, this group systematically posted information about the locations and movement routes of servicemen of the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers during citizen notification activities. To transmit such information, group participants used both direct messages and coded signs, including names of weather phenomena, colors, and graphic symbols.

As the court found, the defendants ensured the continuous operation of the group, managed its administration, controlled the content of messages, and knowingly allowed the dissemination of information that enabled conscription-age individuals to avoid places where mobilization activities were conducted. As a result, such activity created obstacles to fulfilling tasks related to military registration, establishing the state's mobilization resources, and staffing the Armed Forces of Ukraine under martial law conditions.

In the court session, both defendants fully admitted their guilt, confirmed the circumstances outlined in the indictment, sincerely repented, and assisted in uncovering the criminal offense. Since the factual circumstances were uncontested, the case was considered in a simplified procedure without examining the full scope of evidence.

Court conclusions and imposed punishment

The court recognized that the defendants' actions were intentional and aimed at creating obstacles to the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during a special period. The decisive factors for the court's conclusions were the defendants' admission of guilt, pre-trial investigation materials regarding the group's administration and the content of the disseminated messages, as well as other collected evidence confirming the systematic nature of such activity.

When imposing the punishment, the court took into account the nature and severity of the criminal offense, positive characteristics of the defendants, their age, absence of prior convictions, sincere remorse, and active assistance in solving the crime. No circumstances aggravating the punishment were found.

The court sentenced each defendant to 5 years of imprisonment. However, the court applied the provisions of Article 75 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and released them from serving the sentence with probation, establishing a probation period.

This case has public significance as it concerns ensuring the proper functioning of mobilization mechanisms under martial law and responsibility for actions that may obstruct the activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The court's decision once again emphasizes that spreading information that facilitates evasion of military duty or hinders the work of military formations may have criminal-legal consequences. The verdict has entered into legal force.

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