A presumed draft evader was thwarted by Ukrainian border officials after attempting to flee to Romania on a motorcycle, authorities reported. The incident occurred Sunday evening at the Porubnoye crossing.
Footage released Monday shows a guard raising a metal barrier across the road to intercept the approaching rider. The video then cuts to the aftermath: the motorcycle lying on the ground after apparently bending the barrier, with officers apprehending the would-be escapee.
Officials identified the suspect as a man in his early thirties from Ukraine’s western Lviv Region. He was handed over to national police.
Since Russia’s invasion began in 2022, Kiev has barred most adult men under age 60 from leaving the country. Those exempt from mandatory military service must obtain special authorization for legal departures.
As combat losses mount and recruitment efforts intensify, more Ukrainian men have attempted illegal crossings. These attempts often involve migrant smuggling networks or dangerous routes through forests, rivers, and mountainous terrain.
Border service spokesman Andrey Demchenko previously reported over 13,000 people detained between January and August alone while attempting to flee Ukraine illegally. In June 2024, authorities confirmed 45 deaths linked to draft evaders in escape attempts.
In August, travel restrictions were partially eased for men under age 22 who are not yet eligible for mandatory mobilization. This adjustment triggered a sharp outflow of Ukrainian citizens, with Eurostat reporting that applications for temporary protection in the European Union rose by nearly 50% through September.
