NewsUkrainian border guards detain young men escaping through Transnistria

Ukrainian border guards detain young men escaping through Transnistria

Further detentions at the Ukrainian border. Among them, a 14-year-old.
Further detentions at the Ukrainian border. Among them, a 14-year-old.
Images source: © DPSU
Mateusz Czmiel

24 July 2024 20:48

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine announced that eight Ukrainians were detained near Transnistria while attempting to cross the border illegally. The photos show exceptionally young men who wanted to escape the war. Other men tried to cross the Tisza River – among them was a 14-year-old boy.

The Ukrainian Border Guard Service (DPSU) detained two cars with six passengers near the border with the Transnistrian region of Moldova. "The journey was organised by a Telegram channel administrator, whose services the men used." The appearance of the men draws attention – most of them are very young.

All were detained. The border guards added, "The drivers face criminal liability, and the offenders have administrative protocols drawn up."

In another announcement, the DPSU informed that it detained a group of men who attempted to escape from Ukraine via the Tisza River, which is a natural border with Romania.

Led by a 14-year-old

"A border unit consisting of trainee cadets detained four men accompanied by a 14-year-old teenager" it reads. Each of the men

"Currently, officers are determining the circle of people involved in organising the illegal departure," the communiqué added.

Fleeing from mobilisation

The detainees are residents of the Kyiv, Zakarpattia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Lviv regions. At the beginning of July, the Moldovan border guard reported that approximately 23,500 Ukrainians arrived in Moldova, bypassing border crossings, from 24 February 2022 to 31 May 2024. Around 11,000 Ukrainians fled to Romania.

In mid-May, new mobilisation regulations began to apply in Ukraine. The law replaced the general draft with a five-month training period for all men eligible for military service. This especially applies to those aged 18-25 years. Until they turn 25, they will not be mobilised to front-line units but will undergo periodic training.

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