In Zaporizhzhia, a scheme of fictitious employment of men in schools was exposed
In Zaporizhzhia, law enforcement officers exposed two schemes of fictitious employment of men liable for military service in educational institutions. According to the investigation, a total of 60 people were registered in schools who did not actually perform their official duties. Such employment could be used to obtain a deferment from mobilization.
The Office of the Prosecutor General reported this on October 9. As part of the investigation, 11 people received suspicion notices, including officials of the city education department, heads of district education departments, school principals, and fictitiously employed men.
How the deferment scheme worked
According to the investigation, during 2024-2026, the deputy director of the city education department and two heads of district education departments organized fictitious employment of 54 men in teaching positions.
Formally, the men liable for military service were listed as employees of educational institutions, but they did not actually perform teaching work. Some of the men took long unpaid leave immediately after being hired.
According to the prosecutor's office, such personnel documents created formal grounds for reserving employees and obtaining a deferment from conscription during mobilization.
Three education officials were notified of suspicion of obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in a special period, committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons.
Another scheme involved budget salaries
A separate episode of the investigation is related to the activities of two principals of Zaporizhzhia schools. According to the investigation, during 2022-2026, they fictitiously employed six more men as heads of hobby groups.
Despite the lack of actual work, these individuals were paid salaries from the budget.
The investigation established that the school principals gained access to the bank cards of the formal employees and withdrew the accrued funds. In this way, according to law enforcement officers, they misappropriated more than UAH 800,000 of budget funds.
Both principals were notified of suspicion of misappropriation of property through abuse of office under Part 4 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Six men who were registered as heads of hobby groups are suspected of aiding and abetting the misappropriation of budget funds.
Law enforcement officers are identifying other persons involved
During searches within the criminal proceedings, law enforcement officers seized mobile phones, employment documents, and draft records that may have evidentiary value.
Investigators are currently checking the circumstances of the employment of persons liable for military service and identifying other possible participants in the schemes.
In total, 11 people received suspicion notices: three officials of education management bodies, two school principals, and six fictitiously employed men. However, the suspicions relate to two different episodes: obstructing the activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and possible misappropriation of budget funds.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. The guilt of the suspects must be established by the court.
Based on materials: Office of the Prosecutor General
