Thirty Lives Lost in Attempts to Escape Ukraine Amidst War

According to the spokesperson for Ukraine's border service, Andriy Demchenko, a significant number of Ukrainian men have tragically lost their lives while attempting to illegally cross the country's borders and evade participation in the ongoing war against Russia, which started in 2022. Demchenko revealed that some individuals died while trying to navigate treacherous mountainous terrains or rivers during their illegal border crossings.

The reason behind these desperate attempts to flee the country is the fact that Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 are generally not allowed to leave Ukraine due to the possibility of being mobilized for combat, as mandated by Ukraine's martial law. This restriction aims to ensure that the country has enough manpower to defend itself against the Russian invasion.

The State Border Guard Service recently announced that 24 men lost their lives while attempting to cross the Tisa river on the border with Romania alone. This highlights the dangers involved in these illegal border crossings. Additionally, border guards have discovered approximately 450 criminal groups involved in smuggling people across the border since the war began, indicating the scale of this issue.

These attempts to illegally cross the border occur on a daily basis, with the majority taking place outside of official border checkpoints, particularly on the borders with Moldova and Romania. The highest number of individuals with forged documents is recorded on the border with Poland, suggesting that some individuals are resorting to fraudulent means to escape the country.

In April, Demchenko informed Ukraine's state broadcaster that an average of 10 men are intercepted each day while attempting to illegally leave the country. To address this issue, Ukraine recently suspended consular services for male citizens of military age until May 18, criticizing those Ukrainians abroad who expect assistance from the state without contributing to its fight for survival in the war against Russia.

The gravity of the situation is further emphasized by the fact that, according to data regarding illegal border crossings from Romania, Moldova, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, nearly 20,000 men have fled Ukraine since the war began in order to avoid being drafted. This highlights the extent to which some Ukrainian men are willing to go to avoid participating in the conflict.

Overall, the loss of life and the prevalence of illegal border crossings underscore the desperation and fear that many Ukrainian men feel as they try to evade participation in the war against Russia. The situation highlights the challenges faced by Ukraine in maintaining its military strength and the sacrifices made by those who choose to flee their homeland.