Ukraine’s border service spokesperson has disclosed that around 30 Ukrainian men have tragically lost their lives while attempting to illegally cross the country’s borders, seeking to evade participation in the ongoing conflict with Russia that commenced in 2022.
According to Andriy Demchenko, as reported by Ukrinform, some of these fatalities occurred during perilous river crossings or mountain traverses.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, approximately 30 individuals have perished in attempts to circumvent border controls. Under Ukraine’s martial law, men aged 18 to 60 are generally prohibited from leaving the country to avoid the possibility of military mobilization, except for specific circumstances.
A recent statement from the State Border Guard Service revealed that 24 of these fatalities occurred during attempted crossings of the Tisa river, along Ukraine’s border with Romania. Demchenko further disclosed that border authorities have uncovered approximately 450 criminal groups engaged in smuggling individuals across the border since the conflict began.
Illicit border crossings occur on a daily basis, with a majority happening outside official checkpoints, particularly along the borders with Moldova and Romania. The highest number of individuals attempting to cross with falsified documents is observed along the Polish border.
Earlier statements from Demchenko indicated that, on average, about 10 men are intercepted daily while trying to leave Ukraine unlawfully.
In response to citizens abroad seeking state assistance without contributing to the war effort, Ukraine has suspended consular services for military-age male citizens until May 18.
A BBC report in November, based on illegal border crossing data from neighboring countries, suggested that nearly 20,000 men have fled Ukraine since the conflict’s onset to evade conscription.
