Ukrainian officials stop man on bike from speeding through border

(MENAFN) A Ukrainian man reportedly attempting to evade military conscription was stopped while trying to flee to Romania on a motorcycle, according to reports. The restriction on leaving the country applies to males of fighting age, leading to thousands of illegal crossing attempts, some of which have ended fatally.

The incident occurred Sunday evening at the Porubnoye checkpoint. Footage released the following day shows a guard raising a metal barrier and attempting to block the approaching motorcyclist. The video then shifts to the aftermath, with the motorcycle lying on the ground after apparently damaging the barrier, as officers detained the would-be escapee.

Officials said the suspect is a man in his early thirties from Ukraine’s western Lviv Region and that he was handed over to national police.

Since the escalation of the conflict with Russia in 2022, most adult men under 60 have been prohibited from leaving Ukraine. Those not subject to mandatory service must obtain special authorization to depart legally.

As combat losses increase and recruitment measures become stricter, more Ukrainian men have sought to leave unlawfully, often relying on smuggling networks or perilous routes through forests, rivers, and mountains.

A border service spokesperson previously stated that over 13,000 people were detained between January and August while attempting to leave illegally. In June 2024 alone, authorities reported 45 confirmed deaths connected to draft evaders trying to escape.

Travel restrictions were partially relaxed in August for men under 22 not yet eligible for mobilization, sparking a significant exodus. Eurostat data indicated that applications for temporary protection in the EU surged nearly 50% through September.

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