Sergeant transferred soldiers from AWOL status to rear units for $2000 – court fined him 90 thousand hryvnias
The Lutsk City District Court imposed a fine on a serviceman for receiving an unlawful benefit to influence a transfer to a rear unit.
Case circumstances
A junior sergeant serving under mobilization as a driver-mechanic of the automobile maintenance workshop in a military unit was accused of committing a criminal offense under Part 2 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The accused, intending to receive an unlawful benefit, devised a plan to obtain money from servicemen who were classified as persons who had unlawfully left the military unit (AWOL), by assisting in removing this status and transferring them for further military service to rear military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine located in the Volyn region.
In June 2025, while at the Lutsk military garrison hospital, the accused met a senior soldier undergoing treatment for service-related illnesses who was AWOL after failing to return to the military unit on time due to extended treatment.
The senior soldier informed the accused of his intention to return to military service and the difficulties caused by his AWOL status. Acting intentionally, the accused offered to assist in removing the AWOL status and transferring him to a rear military unit in the Volyn region in exchange for an unlawful benefit of $2000, assuring that there was no other way to resolve the issue.
Subsequently, during phone calls and personal meetings in January–February 2026, the accused confirmed his readiness to influence the command of military units, including military unit NUMBER_3, through contacts with its commander and other officials. He inquired about vacant positions, facilitated obtaining approval for the military-medical commission, and prepared the necessary documents.
On February 20, 2026, the accused received $2000 (equivalent to 86,676.54 UAH at the National Bank of Ukraine exchange rate) from the senior soldier as an unlawful benefit for influencing officials regarding the transfer for further military service.
The senior soldier, aware of the illegality of the actions, contacted law enforcement and acted under their control. The accused fully admitted his guilt and sincerely repented.
Court decision
On June 4, 2026, the Lutsk City District Court of Volyn region in case No. 161/10634/26 found the junior sergeant guilty of committing a criminal offense under Part 2 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The court sentenced him to a fine of 5,300 non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens, amounting to 90,100 hryvnias.
The court considered mitigating circumstances — sincere repentance of the accused, absence of aggravating factors, positive service record, permanent residence, and social ties. The court concluded that correction of the accused is possible without isolation from society.
Material evidence:
- the $2000 was returned to the lawful owner — the senior soldier;
- other documents (copies of medical commission certificates, military ID, applications, etc.) remain in the criminal case materials;
- 13,585 hryvnias were returned to the accused.
The property arrest was lifted. The preventive measure in the form of bail was canceled, and the bail amount of 116,480 hryvnias was returned to the depositor.
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