Poland Seizes Ukrainian Draft Dodgers Attempting to Flee via Train
Authorities in Poland have detained two Ukrainian train drivers and the two passengers they attempted to smuggle into the country illegally, according to the Polish Border Guard. The detainees were accused of participating in a human trafficking operation, as they allegedly concealed young men inside the locomotive compartment of a train that arrived in the southeastern Polish border city of Przemysl. Investigators believe the smugglers received at least $10,000 per person for the illegal crossings. The train operators, both employees of Ukraine’s state railway, have been charged with participating in a criminal group engaged in organized illegal border crossings and have denied the accusations.
The two Ukrainian nationals who were smuggled into Poland were charged with entering the country illegally using deception and acting in cooperation with others. They have admitted their guilt, stating they turned to the scheme to avoid being drafted. Ukraine introduced general mobilization in February 2022, banning most men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country. In 2024, Kiev lowered the draft age from 27 to 25 and imposed stricter recruitment rules to address rising battlefield losses. This has triggered growing unrest, with viral videos on Ukrainian social media showing military recruiters chasing young men and forcing them into unmarked vehicles. Violent confrontations between draft officers and civilians have become increasingly frequent. Igor Matviychuk, head of border control at Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service, reported that over 100 people attempt to flee the country each day to avoid conscription.