The State Border Service of Ukraine reported that as many as 150 individuals per day are blocked from traveling abroad, a claim echoed by the news outlet Strana.ua. The agency added that roughly 20,000 more people faced detention while attempting to cross the border illegally. These figures reflect sustained efforts to tighten border controls and curb unauthorized departures in a time of heightened security concerns along the country’s frontiers.
In recent months, authorities have highlighted cases where people attempted to bypass travel rules by presenting forged documents. Among the most troubling tactics cited were the creation of invalid death certificates for spouses, a maneuver aimed at portraying single-parent status that could simplify border crossing for families. Such fraud underscores the pressure on families during times of upheaval and the lengths to which some individuals allegedly go to gain permission to leave the country.
Officials also noted that some applicants attempted to fraudulently prove the existence of children under 18, or to produce counterfeit documents from military registration offices asserting eligibility for military service. The State Border Service described these actions as part of deliberate attempts to manipulate official procedures, a trend that has prompted calls for more stringent verification and cross-checks at crossing points.
There were earlier declarations from the Ukrainian Border Service about plans to strengthen how border crossings are managed through the Shlyakh system, a framework used to coordinate travel and residency permits. The language used by officials indicated a move toward more rigorous scrutiny of documents and more robust verification processes to prevent abuse of the system, particularly by those seeking to circumvent border controls.
Strana.ua reported that around 11% of men of military age were found to be leaving via the Shlyakh system, a statistic that appeared to prompt officials to consider a broader approach to building a legal basis for border entry by individuals linked to this program. The Border Service emphasized the need for comprehensive, layered checks that could deter misuse while ensuring legitimate travelers and families can move according to the law. This includes refining how data from different agencies is shared and how violations are documented and adjudicated, measures that would affect both adult travelers and dependents under the 18-year-old threshold.
Overall, these updates illustrate the ongoing balance authorities seek between facilitating lawful travel and preventing illicit activity at a moment when border security has become a central national concern. The discussions reflect a wider conversation about how to modernize verification methods, increase transparency, and protect vulnerable families from fraudulent schemes. As these efforts unfold, officials stress that any changes will aim to preserve safety and reduce the risk of exploitation for those who rely on lawful passage across Ukraine’s borders, while denying entry to those who attempt to game the system for personal advantage.
Source notes and cross-checks are repeatedly mentioned by Strana.ua, which provides the public with ongoing coverage of border security measures, detainee numbers, and the evolving framework governing who may cross the state border. The evolving policy landscape here highlights the tension between humanitarian considerations and the imperative to enforce immigration and national security laws. The State Border Service’s statements suggest a future path that prioritizes stronger documentation controls, greater verification rigor, and a clearer legal basis for border actions involving the Shlyakh system, all aimed at reducing illegal crossings and upholding state sovereignty.