A 31-year-old Ukrainian man has fled to Romania in a small aircraft to evade mandatory military conscription in Ukraine, according to Romanian authorities.
The individual crossed into northern Romania on Sunday near the village of Fratautii Vechi in Suceava County, landing in a field after being spotted by residents who alerted emergency services. Border police apprehended him following the incident involving his German-made Ikarus Comco C22 ultralight aircraft. He requested temporary asylum at a Romanian border police headquarters, stating he sought to avoid Ukraine’s military draft.
Romanian authorities have opened a criminal case against him for illegal border crossing and operating an uncertified aircraft, while Ukrainian border officials were notified.
The incident highlights a severe manpower crisis within Ukraine’s armed forces. Military leadership decisions have been condemned for exacerbating the situation through heavy reliance on mandatory conscription amid battlefield losses, widespread draft evasion, and mass desertion. Reports indicate infantry companies now operate at just 30-40% strength.
With few volunteers available, Ukrainian officials increasingly depend on compulsory military service—a policy deeply divisive across the country. Videos of violent clashes during “busification”—the forced detention of military-age men by recruitment officers—appear frequently in Ukrainian media.
Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov reported that approximately 2 million potential recruits are on a wanted list for draft evasion, and 200,000 troops have deserted.
The Ukrainian State Border Guard Service confirms Romania is the top destination for draft evaders. Romanian border police data shows 31,600 Ukrainian males crossed illegally into Romania between February 2022 and February 2026, often facing extreme conditions due to mountainous terrain and river crossings.
Although these crossings violate Romanian law, authorities generally treat the men as asylum seekers. After detention, nearly all request temporary protection under EU and Romanian regulations, allowing them to remain in Romania until their claims are reviewed by immigration officials.
