Ukraine ex-culture minister suspect in border-crossing scheme

A former Ukrainian culture minister is under suspicion for his alleged role in a scheme that enabled fighting-age Ukrainian men to illegally leave the country during martial law, Ukraine's National Police announced on June 20.

The operation reportedly involved men posing as musicians scheduled for charity tours abroad. The former minister is accused of signing the necessary documents for the State Border Guard, allowing these individuals to cross the border.

According to police, participation in this fraudulent scheme cost up to $13,000, payable in cryptocurrency. Approximately 28 individuals are said to have used the scheme, with another 16 planning to do so.

While the police did not name the former minister, Ukrainian media outlets have identified him as Rostislav Karandeev. Karandeev led the Ministry of Culture from 2023 to 2024 and previously served as its first deputy minister from 2020 to 2023. He was formally served with a notice of suspicion on June 19, along with four other individuals reportedly involved in recruiting clients and arranging the fraudulent tours.

Karandeev had previously commented to Interfax in April, stating that he had signed off on travel requests from artists without full knowledge of their illegitimacy, as the ministry faced challenges in distinguishing genuine requests from fraudulent ones. Under Ukraine's martial law, men aged 23 to 60 are generally prohibited from leaving the country, though exceptions exist for certain professions, including artists, who must submit documentation weeks in advance and return within 60 days.