On March 20, 2026, border guards stopped three Kyiv residents who were trying to cross into Moldova on foot beyond the checkpoint using geolocation points from unidentified individuals. One of the detainees is a game studio tester. In his explanations, he himself confirmed the goal: evading military service.
On March 20, 2026, border guards stopped three Kyiv residents who were trying to cross into Moldova on foot beyond the checkpoint using geolocation points from unidentified individuals. One of the detainees is a game studio tester. In his explanations, he himself confirmed the goal: evading military service.
On the evening of March 20, 2026, at 8:10 p.m., the border patrol unit «Response Group» discovered three residents of Kyiv on the section between the villages of Hrabarivka (Ukraine) and Ocnitsa (Republic of Moldova). All three were moving on foot outside the established checkpoint.
According to a report by a senior lieutenant of the border guard service, the group used geolocation points and a pre-built route obtained from unidentified individuals. In fact, the services of so-called «guides» who help organize the illegal crossing for a fee.
Among those detained is a quality tester and engineer at Pingle Studio. In his written explanations, he confirmed the circumstances indicated in the protocol and directly indicated the goal: evasion of military service.
In his explanations, the man stated that he intended to cross the border outside the checkpoint together with other persons in order to evade military service, according to the case materials.
The case was considered under Part 2 of Article 204-1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses — by a qualified panel, which provides for liability specifically for group violations. The man pleaded guilty in writing at the detention stage and asked to consider the case without his participation.
The court found the guilt fully proven: the border guard protocol, the officer’s report, a diagram of the scene of the incident, written explanations from the perpetrator himself and two other members of the group — the evidence left no room for doubt.
The court found the commission of the offense under martial law to be an aggravating circumstance. No mitigating circumstances were found.
The court imposed a minimum fine of UAH 8,500. If the fine is not paid on time, the amount is doubled and collected forcibly.
The court decision can be appealed within 10 days to the Vinnytsia Court of Appeal.
