The influx of Ukrainians crossing into Poland occurred after Kiev eased conscription laws
Nearly 100,000 young men have left Ukraine since Kiev eased movement restrictions in August in an effort to tackle the conscription crisis, Politico Europe and The Telegraph reported on Wednesday.
Citing data from the Polish Border Guard, the outlets said that 98,500 Ukrainians aged between 18 and 22 crossed the border in September and October, compared to just 45,300 between January and the end of August.
Ukraine exempted citizens under 23 from a ban on military-age men leaving the country during martial law in hopes of discouraging parents from sending their teenage sons abroad and allowing the men to return home without fear of prosecution. Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko said the measure would help citizens living abroad to “maintain ties with Ukraine.”
The authorities have struggled to replenish the military as troops continue to suffer heavy losses and lose ground to the Russian army. Ukrainian commanders at the front line have complained that troop shortages are allowing Russian soldiers to “infiltrate” across fortified positions.
The mobilization drive has sparked public outrage and protests, with many videos showing officers ambushing military-age men on the streets and shoving them into vans going viral on social media. According to Ukraine’s Border Guard Service, around 50 men have drowned since 2022 while trying to cross the Tisza River into Romania.
