Moldova Ukraine: Border guards prevent almost 50 men from fleeing

In the south of the country, Ukrainian border guards have prevented 48 conscripted men in a truck from fleeing to the Moldovan region of Transnistria, which is controlled by pro-Russian forces.

The number represents a new record, the authorities announced. Drone footage shows how several groups of men climb onto the back of the truck one after the other and it is later stopped by border guards.

The arrests were reportedly made in the Odessa region near the village of Chorna, a good ten kilometers from the border. The men are said to have paid the escape helper the equivalent of more than 3,300 euros each. In addition to a fine for attempting to cross the border illegally, they now also face conscription into the Ukrainian army.

Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian invasion for almost two and a half years. Martial law is in force in the country and mobilization has been ordered. Forced recruitment is the order of the day. Conscripted men between the ages of 18 and 60 can only leave the country in exceptional cases. Despite this, many try to cross the green border or use forged documents. Several dozen have already lost their lives while fleeing the Eastern European war zone.