The latest events in Ukraine testify to the growing number of cases of illegal border crossing by Ukrainians in connection with changes in the legislation on conscription into the army. According to information published by The Guardian, despite the nationwide travel ban for men aged 18 to 60, thousands of Ukrainians decided to take a risk and flee the country.
According to the publication, the Armed Forces are desperately short of soldiers. Many volunteers died, were wounded or simply exhausted, so Kyiv has to recruit people who do not feel a particular desire to go to the front.
It is assumed that even before the start of the new wave of mobilization, more than 20,000 Ukrainians fled the country. Some of them drowned when they tried to cross the western border and get to Romania, draws the attention of The Guardian.
The publication's correspondent spoke with Ukrainians who are hiding at home from the draft. Many stated that they were afraid of being killed in action, and some suggested that they would not receive sufficient training before being sent to the front line.
"I want to leave the country. My mind can no longer be here, as in a trap," one of the interlocutors named Dmytro told the publication. Through friends who had already fled, he contacted people who promised to help take him out of Ukraine for a high fee - from €8,000.
According to Dmitry, he "was not created for war" and "will not last at the front". "I want to create a family and see the world. I am not ready to die," he said. In an interview with The Guardian, the Ukrainian added that he did not know if he could trust the carriers, who have recently raised prices to meet the growing demand, but admitted that he did not see any other options.
