Bakery Director Fined for Falsely Employing Military-Age Men.

Verdict for the Director of 'Chernihiv Bread Plant No. 2' LLC

According to TSN.ua: The director of 'Chernihiv Bread Plant No. 2' LLC has been found guilty of obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by arranging sham employment for men eligible for military service. The Novozavodskyi District Court of Chernihiv delivered the verdict.

Court documents reveal that from May 2023 to October 2024, the director formally placed seven military-eligible individuals on the company payroll. They were registered as drivers, dough molders, and machine operators but performed no actual work. This scheme formed the basis for the charges against her.

Plea Deal and Sentencing

On January 21, 2026, a plea agreement was concluded. The court convicted the director under Part 1 of Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and imposed a fine of 499,800 hryvnias. Additionally, the defendant was ordered to transfer 500,000 hryvnias to a special account of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense. The court also canceled the bail measure and returned the funds to the surety.

The verdict can be appealed within 30 days. This case highlights the severe legal consequences for draft evasion schemes during wartime, a significant issue for Ukraine's national defense. Such fraudulent employment directly undermines mobilization efforts by allowing individuals to avoid mandatory service.

The significance of this ruling lies not only in punishing an individual but also in demonstrating the resolve of law enforcement to combat offenses that could weaken the country's defense capabilities.

Falsely employing those subject to military service is a serious crime that can deplete the manpower resources of the Armed Forces, a critical concern during war. This prosecution serves as a stark warning to other businesses about the necessity of strict legal compliance in a time of national crisis.