Ukrainians Drown While Fleeing to Romania
- Border guards in Ukraine are trying to prevent Ukrainians from fleeing to Romania.
- Dozens of Ukrainians have drowned while trying to cross the river to Romania, seeking to escape mass conscription in Ukraine.
- The efforts to stop the fleeing Ukrainians have led to tragic outcomes.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, tensions at the border with Romania are escalating, particularly among young men facing conscription. Border guard Barelin and his colleague Artem Shakhovalov patrol the Tisza River, which, despite appearing shallow, harbors dangerous undercurrents that complicate attempts to cross. Many men opt to make the perilous journey at night, seeking refuge in Romania and the protection it offers, according to Lesya Fedorova, spokesperson for the Mukachevo border division. The situation is further complicated by narratives surrounding the war, with some fleeing conscription inadvertently fueling Russian propaganda that suggests Ukraine is losing ground. Serhii Kuzan, head of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center, highlights the detrimental impact of these stories on national morale. In the border village of Velykyi Bychkiv, local sentiments are mixed, with some residents expressing sympathy for those attempting to escape military service. Yulian, a local who has registered with the military, shares his fears about crossing the river alone and the prohibitive cost of hiring a smuggler. He notes that border guards often assume that everyone they encounter is trying to flee, leading to misunderstandings. Meanwhile, young men like Serhiy and Oleksii, who have no immediate plans to leave, acknowledge the pressures their peers face, reflecting the complex emotions surrounding duty and survival amid ongoing conflict.