According to the investigation, a 46-year-old vice-rector of one of the leading universities in Kharkiv organized a scheme to evade mobilization. He is also a non-affiliated deputy of the Kharkiv Regional Council of the VIII convocation, elected from the banned pro-Russian party "OPZZH" in Ukraine.

He involved two accomplices in illegal activities — employees of another educational institution.

Throughout 2024, they produced fake documents and entered false data into the Unified State Electronic Database on Education (USEDE). Based on these certificates, men of conscription age illegally received deferments from mobilization.

In fact, none of the "students" attended classes or took exams — the educational process existed only formally, on paper. The discovered scheme has a systemic nature, and the exact number of individuals evading their duties under the guise of "studying" is currently being established.

Law enforcement conducted 36 searches at the places of work and residence of the scheme participants. During the investigative actions, documents, rough notes, and mobile phones were seized, which confirm the illegal activities.

Under the procedural guidance of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, the deputy of the regional council and his two accomplices have been notified of suspicion of obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during a special period, by a group of persons in preliminary conspiracy (part 2 of article 28, part 1 of article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). 

The deputy has already been chosen a preventive measure in the form of detention. 

The pre-trial investigation and operational support are carried out by the SBU Office in the Kharkiv region.