Border Crossers Change Tactics
Ukraine's State Border Guard Service reports a notable shift in the routes used by individuals attempting to illegally cross the border. Instead of the Tysa River, many are now turning to the Dniester River, employing underwater equipment—particularly water scooters—to reach Moldova. According to spokesperson Andriy Demchenko, the number of illegal crossing attempts on the Dniester has been rising.
While the Tysa remains a common choice for draft dodgers, the Dniester has grown in popularity due to increasing demand. By using wetsuits and water scooters, men can move more quickly through the water. They hold onto the scooter and dive underwater to evade capture.
Dangerous Incidents and Apprehensions
In March, border guards from the Mohyliv-Podilskyi unit prevented an illegal crossing attempt into Moldova. A group of men tried to swim across the Dniester at night using inflatable mattresses, but they were detained while trying to enter Moldova outside of official checkpoints.
One particularly harrowing case involved a man who attempted to flee to Moldova but encountered a pack of wolves. He climbed a tree and stayed there until he called the State Border Guard Service hotline, asking for rescue and admitting his intent to cross illegally. Guards helped him down and then issued an administrative violation report.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, over three dozen bodies of men have been recovered from the Tysa River—a grim reminder of the serious dangers tied to illegal river crossings.
This change in routes and the use of advanced underwater gear highlight how methods of illegal border crossing are evolving. Ukrainian border guards now face new challenges and must adapt their strategies to counter these emerging threats. The growing activity on the Dniester may also signal a shift in migration patterns driven by various socio-economic factors. Incidents like the wolf encounter further underscore the extreme risks that violators take in their attempts to avoid legal consequences.