Border Situation Overview
Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, addressed the surge in waiting times at the Polish border, attributing it to a sharp rise in passenger numbers. At the 'Krakivets' checkpoint, lines now exceed 12 hours, with over 260 vehicles backed up. On June 22, Ukraine recorded its highest daily border crossing for June—141,000 citizens—with a slight majority entering the country.
Similar congestion has emerged along the Hungarian border, particularly at the 'Tysa' and 'Luzhanka' crossings, requiring increased attention from border personnel. To provide context, these delays come amid the peak summer travel season, when many Ukrainians are taking vacations or visiting family abroad.
On the Romanian border, a new bus-only checkpoint at 'Diakivtsi – Rakovets' has been opened, operating exclusively for departures from Ukraine until the end of summer. This measure aims to ease crossings for bus passengers, though long queues persist on other routes.
'On weekends, the flow increases even more compared to weekdays. Yesterday we saw the highest June border crossing figure—141,000 citizens—with a slight edge for those entering Ukraine.' Andriy Demchenko
The growing queues at Ukraine’s borders, especially with Poland and Hungary, highlight a spike in travel activity likely tied to holidays and the tourist season. While the new bus crossing with Romania reflects government efforts to streamline border procedures, the ongoing backups underscore the need for further infrastructure improvements and better passenger flow management. Addressing these issues could help cut wait times and enhance the overall travel experience.
The recent surge in passenger traffic has not only affected the Polish border but has also led to operational changes in bus crossings. Roadwork has resulted in the suspension of bus services at the Polish border, further complicating the travel situation for many. For more details on how these developments are impacting travel, read about the suspension of bus services due to construction work.