Ex-Ukrainian Culture Minister Suspected in Scheme to Help Men Evade Military Service

A former Ukrainian culture minister is under investigation for allegedly facilitating a scheme that helped military-eligible men illegally leave the country during wartime. Prosecutors revealed that the operation disguised departures as charitable musical tours, allowing men to evade military service.

While the prosecutor general's office did not name the suspect, Ukrainian media outlets have identified Rostyslav Karandeyev, who served as acting minister of Culture and Information Policy from July 2023 to September 2024, as the individual implicated. The scheme allegedly created a front company to organize these fake tours.

According to the National Police, the operation charged approximately $13,000 USD for a place in these "bands." The plot came to light when border guards became suspicious of one group, preventing their departure. It is alleged that the former minister then intervened, purportedly sending a letter requesting passage, which ultimately allowed eight military-aged men to flee the country. The exact timing of these events and any remuneration received by the former minister remain unspecified.

In total, 28 men have been detained after using the scheme to leave Ukraine, with an additional 16 individuals reportedly planning to do the same. Alongside the former minister, four other individuals are suspected of roles in client recruitment and managing payments, reportedly in cryptocurrency. The former minister faces charges of facilitating illegal human trafficking across the state border.

“

The plot had the appearance of a trip for concerts for charitable purposes abroad. On paper, these men were members of a musical group. In reality, they had nothing to do with music.