SBU exposed a channel for illegal smuggling of tax evaders through a gas pipeline to Hungary: organizers face up to 9 years in prison

The Security Service of Ukraine, together with the National Police, uncovered a scheme for the illegal transportation of conscripted men across the state border of Ukraine. According to the investigation, the organizers used an empty gas pipe laid over a river in the Zakarpattia region to illegally cross the border.

This was reported by the Main Directorate of the SBU in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

According to law enforcement officials, the organizer of the illegal channel was a native of Donetsk, who is currently outside Ukraine. He used social networks to search for conscripted men who wanted to illegally leave for the European Union countries, bypassing official checkpoints.

The cost of such a “route” was 8 thousand euros for each client.

How the scheme worked

According to the investigation, two more accomplices were involved in the implementation of the criminal scheme – residents of Donetsk and Lviv regions.

One of them organized the transportation of clients to Lviv, the other accompanied them through the territory of Transcarpathia directly to the state border with Hungary and Romania.

The key section of the route was an empty gas pipe laid over the river. It was through it that the men got to the other bank, after which they headed to the border along forest paths.

According to preliminary data, from the summer to December 2025, at least 20 Ukrainian citizens liable for military service illegally crossed the state border in this way.

Law enforcement officers also established that part of the funds received by the participants in the scheme were transferred to individuals from the criminal environment as so-called “support”.

The organizers were informed of the suspicion

One of the defendants was detained by law enforcement officers back in December 2025 while receiving another portion of the illegal reward.

Another participant in the scheme, who is currently abroad, was notified in absentia of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – illegal smuggling of persons across the state border of Ukraine, committed by an organized group or for selfish motives.

The sanction of the article provides for a penalty of imprisonment for a term of seven to nine years with possible deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities and confiscation of property.

The investigation is ongoing

The pre-trial investigation is being carried out under the procedural guidance of the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office.

The SBU emphasizes that illegal channels for smuggling persons across the state border remain one of the priority areas of law enforcement agencies. According to the special service, dozens of such schemes are uncovered every year in Transcarpathia alone, the organizers of which use complex routes and a clear distribution of roles between members of criminal groups.