Shocking human rights violations have been uncovered at the Ternopil Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center (TRSSC). According to a monitoring visit by representatives of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, citizens with mental disorders and disabilities were being illegally detained in the building.

The situation at the facility requires an immediate response and underscores the urgency of reforming the mobilization system, which, according to the Ombudsman, was needed 'yesterday'.

Guard in a state of alcohol intoxication

One of the most flagrant details of the inspection was the condition of the employee responsible for supervising the mobilized. Representatives of the human rights mission found him in a state of severe alcohol intoxication. According to the test results, the level of alcohol in the guard's blood exceeded the permissible limit by almost seven times.

During the visit to the TRSSC, there were about 28 people. Of these, 17 citizens submitted written complaints to the Ombudsman regarding violations of their rights. During one-on-one conversations, people spoke about illegal actions during mobilization, gross errors in documentation, and the ignoring of requirements during the military-medical examination (MME).

Who ended up in the 'corral'

Thanks to the prompt intervention of Dmytro Lubinets' team, five people who were not subject to conscription were immediately released from the building. Among those released were citizens whose health condition categorically excludes service:

  • A man with a lifelong disability of Group II, acquired since childhood;
  • Two people with diagnosed mental disorders (specific diagnoses are not disclosed for ethical reasons);
  • Two men who had only about six months left before reaching the maximum age for mobilization (60 years).

All recorded facts of violations have been documented and forwarded to the relevant authorities for investigation.

The scale of the problem

The incident in Ternopil is just the tip of the iceberg. Over five months in 2026, the Ombudsman's Office received more than three thousand complaints about the actions of territorial recruitment center employees. Dmytro Lubinets notes that this figure reflects only direct appeals from citizens, while the actual number of violations could be at least three times higher.

This is not an isolated incident. Earlier, in April, the Ombudsman's Office published the results of an inspection of the Uzhhorod TRSSC, where numerous violations were also identified, including the illegal detention of people for periods ranging from 21 to 50 days. In addition, the circumstances of the death of a man who was hospitalized in a Kyiv hospital in January 2026 with rib fractures and chest trauma are being investigated.

Following the inspection in Ternopil, Dmytro Lubinets officially prepared a response aimed at eliminating the identified violations and preventing similar cases in the future.