By Emmanuel Nduka
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian border guards have stopped nearly 50,000 military-aged men from illegally leaving the country, according to a spokesperson from the State Border Guard Service.
Under Ukraine’s martial law, men aged 18 to 60 are generally prohibited from leaving the country unless they qualify for exemptions or have official permission.
Despite this, many have attempted to escape conscription into the Ukrainian military, which has been struggling to recruit amid continued fighting in the east.
Spokesman Andriy Demchenko revealed that approximately 45,000 men have been caught trying to cross the border unlawfully since February 24, 2022. An additional 4,000 were intercepted while attempting to use fake documents or fabricated claims to justify their departure.
The Ukrainian government is working to crack down on draft evasion and urging citizens abroad to return and support the country’s defense efforts. In 2024, around 4.1 million Ukrainians were registered under temporary protection across the European Union. Eurostat reports that roughly 22% of them were adult men.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue. On May 19, U.S. President Donald Trump held back-to-back calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Following these talks, the U.S. announced plans to coordinate closely with European allies on Ukraine-related discussions.
