32 Ukrainians crossed the Ukrainian-Hungarian border in a vehicle with black military plates and were detained in Hungary, Ukrainian media reported.
The incident at the border took place on Sunday, 9 June. Ukrainian border guards found traces of an unknown vehicle. It indicated the crossing of the state border in the area of border marker 225.
According to Ukrainian media, the escape took place at the Kosyno and Velyka Byihan area in Zakarpattia region, western Ukraine. A search patrol went to the scene to look for the escapees. Earlier, video cameras recorded that a GAZ-66 truck with black military licence plates “4736 A1” was driving from a field road across a field towards the Ukrainian-Hungarian border.
Upon inspection, the patrol found that the vehicle was not military. The GAZ-66 was found in Hungary, with the passengers already leaving the vehicle long ago. Hungarian police later reported the detention of 32 people near the village of Barabás. Officials have so far made no comment.
Consequences of controversial law
The mobilisation law in Ukraine, which came into force in May, forced young men to seek ways to avoid mobilisation. In late April, the head of Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service (SBGS) stated that at least 30 people had lost their lives attempting to flee the country since February 2022, according to Euronews. As of early June, the number of victims rose to 45, Ukrainian media added.
According to the Ukrainian Defence Ministry, men who failed to appear at a military recruitment office on summons within 10 days would have their bank accounts blocked. They would also be restricted from travelling abroad and driving vehicles.
The Ukrainian authorities reported that bank accounts might also be blocked for those Ukrainians who provided a fake address in the Reserve+ mobile application. The Defence Ministry launched the app on 18 May after the mobilisation law came into force to control the military registration data of men of conscription age online.
