Authorities in Ukraine recently dismantled a sex trafficking operation that exploited women from conflict-affected eastern regions. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, officials say war-driven displacement and economic instability have fueled a growing risk of human trafficking, especially for women and children.
Women recruited from frontline regions
Investigators say at least two women allegedly organized the trafficking operation. Recruiters promised legal employment in the European Union (EU) but instead forced women into providing sexual services abroad. The Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office said the traffickers acted deliberately and for profit. TVP World reports:
Under the guise of legal employment, victims were offered work providing intimate services in an EU country. The victims were promised high earnings and were assured of the legality of such activities.
Prosecutors say the scheme targeted women from frontline areas who were struggling to survive. One suspect recruited victims from the eastern Donetsk region, while an accomplice based in Poland handled logistics, including accommodation and arranging clients.
Ukrainian authorities charged the suspect based in Donetsk with recruiting people for exploitation, a crime that carries a possible prison sentence of up to 12 years. She is currently in pretrial detention. Officials are also preparing legal steps to formally charge her alleged accomplice in Poland.
A growing pattern
But the case reflects a broader pattern. Since the start of the war, investigators have uncovered almost 500 human trafficking cases in Ukraine.
A separate investigation in Poland highlights how organized criminal groups continue to profit from the exploitation of Ukrainian women. Earlier this year, authorities arrested and charged 18 people—15 Ukrainians and 3 Poles—for crimes including human trafficking, organized crime, and soliciting sex work.
One of the defendants is also accused of giving cocaine to women forced to provide sexual services. TVP World also reports:
One woman was tricked into becoming a sex worker, officials said. The gang paid an intermediary 50,000 złoty ($13,235) to sign her up, later making an estimated profit of 120,000 złoty ($31,764) by using her as a prostitute.
Investigators describe the group as operating in a highly organized, business. Members recruited mainly Ukrainian women, photographed them for online advertisements, arranged client meetings, and transported women to rented apartments across several Polish cities. The operation reportedly earned at least 1 million złoty through sexual exploitation.
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