Dozens of people have died attempting to illegally flee Ukraine since February 2022, according to border chief

Organised people-smuggling groups are reportedly taking advantage of desperate Ukrainians, promising safe border crossings in exchange for large sums of money, only to dispatch them on dangerous routes without adequate preparation.

According to the head of Ukraine’s state border guard, Andriy Demchenko, at least 30 people have died attempting to flee the country since February 2022, as the number of Ukrainians trying to avoid conscription continues to rise. Demchenko revealed in an interview with Ukraine’s national news agency, Ukrinform, that illegal attempts to cross the border occur daily, often with the help of third parties.

Most of these attempts occur outside checkpoints on the borders with Moldova and Romania, with the largest number of forged document attempts recorded on the border with Poland. Demchenko emphasized that many of these offenders are not independent participants but rather use the services of organisers who show little concern for their safety.

The dangerous routes often involve crossing mountain rivers and facing wild animals in the mountains, posing serious threats to the escapees’ lives. Since the introduction of martial law, authorities have exposed 450 criminal groups specializing in smuggling people out of the country, with 120 individuals being stopped at the border daily for failing to provide evidence of their trip’s purpose.

As Ukraine faces increasing pressure to boost its military ranks and prepare for potential Russian offensives, the country recently lowered the minimum age for compulsory military service and expanded the scope of martial law. Despite these challenges, a recent breakthrough in the US Congress has provided Ukraine with hope for much-needed American military aid after months of deadlock.