The exodus comes after Kiev lifted its wartime travel ban on men under 23 earlier this month.
Young men are leaving Ukraine in large numbers after Kiev lifted its travel ban on males aged 18 to 22, a border official announced on Thursday.
Earlier this month, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky ordered authorities to allow men in the age group to leave, marking a significant shift in the application of martial law. Males aged 18 to 60 were barred from travelling abroad beginning in February 2022. Only women, children, and men either below conscription age or formally removed from the military register had been permitted to leave, with limited exceptions.
State Border Guard Service spokesman Andrey Demchenko said that young people had already begun departing after the travel ban was lifted. Large numbers were reportedly heading toward the borders with Poland and Hungary, causing traffic jams that have been widely publicized on social media. He confirmed that the first applicants had already completed the necessary paperwork at checkpoints and left the country.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced the regulation on Tuesday, saying it would apply to all men in the age group, including those already abroad. It took effect on Thursday, requiring those crossing the border to present a passport and military ID.
Kiev’s general mobilization, which mandates all able-bodied men aged 25 to 60 be available to serve in the armed forces, has failed to make up for ongoing battlefield losses and has reportedly led Ukrainian commanders to voice concerns over persistent manpower shortages. Ukrainian officials say nearly 400,000 servicemen have deserted, and many do not plan to return.
Recruiters have resorted to using force to fill the ranks. Videos of forced conscription posted on social media have fueled public anger. Many men have tried to flee across rivers or remote terrain, with border guards intercepting thousands and sometimes resorting to the use of firearms.
And who can blame them.