Men were taken abroad under the guise of being musicians: police are investigating the Ministry of Culture
8 April 02:39
Authorities in Ukraine have dismantled a scheme involving the illegal removal of men subject to military conscription from the country, who were allegedly taken abroad to participate in a music tour. This was reported by the press service of the National Police, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
According to law enforcement officials, the organizer registered the men as “artists,” submitted the relevant lists to the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications, after which the ministry sent letters of support for border crossing to the State Border Service. These letters served as the basis for their departure.
How the scheme worked
According to the investigation, the woman registered as a sole proprietor and purportedly operated in the cultural sector. She sought out men who had no legal grounds to leave Ukraine and, for a fee, offered to register them as members of musical groups. Lists of individuals who were supposedly traveling abroad for charity performances in support of Ukraine were then submitted to the Ministry of Culture.
Law enforcement officials determined that the service cost between $7,500 and $13,000. As a result, 28 people left Ukraine through this scheme and have not yet returned. According to the investigation, another 16 men were supposed to go on a similar “tour” but did not make it in time.
Why the Ministry of Culture is mentioned in the case
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko stated that law enforcement conducted searches at the homes of former ministry employees, including the former acting Minister of Culture, who approved the relevant letters.
Currently, ministry officials are being investigated for their involvement in this scheme.
What decisions have law enforcement agencies already made
The organizer of the scheme was notified in absentia of her status as a suspect under Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine. According to law enforcement, she is currently outside the country, and plans are underway to issue an international arrest warrant for her in the near future.
The investigation into the case is ongoing under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General. Law enforcement officials are identifying all those involved in organizing the illegal exit scheme.
Why this story caused such a stir
The scheme caused a particular stir because it involved a mechanism for cultural figures to travel abroad, which is in effect in Ukraine during martial law as an exception for professional activities.
In February 2025, the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications had already announced that it was temporarily suspending the issuance of letters of support for the departure of artists and media professionals subject to military service, citing the need to clarify the procedure and respond to numerous violations of the obligation to return to Ukraine.
The Ministry emphasized at the time that it is the State Border Service that makes the decision on border crossings, and letters from the Ministry of Culture are merely one of the documents considered in such cases.
The ministry also stated that changes to border crossing rules were necessary to prevent the misuse of cultural diplomacy objectives.
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