In the Poltava region, a group of civilians disrupted the transportation of mobilized men: some of the men escaped
On the evening of July 25, 2025, a high-profile event took place on the territory of the Poltava region, which caused a serious reaction from the military command. By information, distributed by the Poltava Regional Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support (TCC), a group of civilians blocked a car transporting mobilized citizens to one of the training centers around 20:00. As a result of the actions of unidentified persons, some of the men who were being taken to training managed to escape and disappeared in an unknown direction.
According to the official notification of the TCC, individuals in civilian clothes not only obstructed traffic, but also resorted to physical influence, damaging the vehicle. These actions, as the department emphasizes, directly contributed to the escape of several mobilized and thus caused damage to the system of manning and defense capabilities of the state. The recruiting center said that such actions testify to the destructive influence of the so-called “unhealthy part of society”, which, according to representatives of the TCC, knowingly or unknowingly plays along with Russian propaganda, undermines national unity and demoralizes the state’s efforts at the front.
“As a result of these actions, the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not receive the necessary personnel replenishment, and therefore, some of the front-line servicemen lost a chance for rotation or rest.” – said in the official statement of the TCC.
In connection with the incident, the military department has already sent relevant materials to the Security Service of Ukraine for a legal assessment of the actions of civilians blocking transportation. Also, information about the escape of the mobilized was transferred to the State Bureau of Investigation. There, the men’s actions should be checked for violations of the provisions of the Criminal Code of Ukraine that relate to military service.
The TCC reminded that from the moment of mobilization, a person acquires the status of a military serviceman, and therefore falls under the jurisdiction of military articles of criminal legislation. Arbitrarily leaving a place of service or transport to a training center is subject to Article 407 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – “Abandoning a military unit or a place of service”, which provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of 5 to 10 years. In addition, actions may be qualified under Article 409 — “Deliberate evasion of military service.”
At the same time, the actions of civilians who obstructed the legitimate activities of the Armed Forces, according to representatives of the procurement center, are a criminal offense. Such an offense is punishable by imprisonment for a term of 5 to 8 years. In cases where such actions cause serious consequences, including the death of military personnel or the disruption of defense operations, the sanction may include up to 15 years in prison.
All collected materials on the fact of the event have already been handed over to the relevant law enforcement agencies for further investigation and legal qualification.
