Karpovych heads Zakarpattia TCC following raids and investigations into fictitious mobilisation

Operational Command "West" confirmed the appointment of Colonel Ivan Karpovych as the permanent head of the Zakarpattia Regional Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support. This decision took effect on 9 October 2026, three days after raids were conducted in his office.

Investigation into $6,000 influence peddling

Investigative actions are linked to a case against Senior Sergeant Anatoliy Shtelia of the Uzhhorod District TCC. He was detained on suspicion of receiving $6,000 to remove a liable person from the wanted list and to enter false data into the "Oberyh" system. The case was classified under Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of influence).

According to journalist Vitaliy Hlahola, law enforcement are checking the detained man's connections with the leadership of the regional TCC and the possible existence of a so-called "slush fund". According to the journalist's sources, the sergeant left the military unit without permission on 8 June 2026, but continued to visit the premises of the Uzhhorod and regional TCCs, including Karpovych's office. It is currently being established who provided him with access to the facility and the ability to influence military registration issues.

Illegal deregistration scheme at Mukachevo TCC

At the Mukachevo District TCC, according to the investigation, a scheme for the illegal removal of approximately 1,200 men from the register was in operation. Between 2022 and 2024, officials processed fictitious unfitness for service, altered registration documents and destroyed over 1,100 personal files. According to sources, services for illegal removal from military registration cost between $8,000 and $20,000.

The National Police, jointly with the State Bureau of Investigations, conducted 17 raids and detained two former heads of the facility — Yevhen Pilhuy and Ihor Hodynets. They are also checking the possible involvement of members of military medical commissions in these abuses.

Fictitious mobilisation of 329 people

Another episode concerns seven employees of one of the district TCCs in Zakarpattia who, according to law enforcement, fictitiously mobilised 329 people. Among them were servicemen who were already serving, as well as deceased citizens. From October 2025 to March 2026, the head of the centre entered 162 false records into the "Oberyh" system, his deputy — 108, and five subordinates — 59. Thus, mobilisation plans were fulfilled only on paper.

On 15 October 2026, the National Police announced that the indictment had been transferred to the court. The defendants are charged with illegal alteration of information in an automated system and official forgery under Articles 362 and 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Incidents of illegal detention and beatings

During Karpovych's temporary leadership, three employees of the facility illegally detained and beat a man in the village of Ivan'ye. After the incident, the victim underwent a military medical commission and was mobilised. On 4 August 2025, the SBI transferred indictments to the court, and all three defendants pleaded guilty. The investigation did not establish Karpovych's personal involvement in these actions.

At the Uzhhorod District TCC, a case is being investigated regarding the illegal detention of 21 liable persons for periods ranging from one to 48 days. Three employees have been given suspicion. The Ombudsman's office in Berehove recorded 32 complaints about the actions of the TCC, including the cancellation of deferments without commission meetings and the illegal detention of people. In Khust, the Security Service of Ukraine investigated the probable extortion of money from relatives of liable persons after their delivery to the TCC.

Scandal involving deputy head of Khust TCC

Karpovych is accused of facilitating the promotion of Petro Horzov — deputy head of the Khust District TCC — to a managerial position. Meanwhile, journalists have not published the order for the respective appointment. On 1 October 2015, the Novopskiv District Court imposed a fine of 8,500 hryvnia on Horzov for beating a subordinate (Part 4 of Article 426-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). In 2024, he became a defendant in a new case under Part 4 of Article 296 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for attacking a woman, five shots fired near a facility and beating a man with a pistol grip. In November 2024, the trial was suspended due to Horzov's military service.

Chronology of events and leadership changes

The previous head of the regional TCC, Andriy Savchuk, led the centre from October 2023. In January 2026, he was transferred to the reserve, later temporarily returned to duty, and in August was suspended pending an internal investigation. Karpovych temporarily headed the regional TCC on 4 September, replacing Savchuk. Prior to this, from February 2025, he had been heading the Duben District TCC in Rivne Oblast.

• 6 October 2026 — raids in the case of probable receipt of $6,000.
• 9 October 2026 — appointment of Karpovych as permanent head of the regional TCC.
• 15 October 2026 — transfer to court of the case regarding 329 fictitiously mobilised people.