In 3 years, nearly 45,000 citizens have illegally left Ukraine

In 3 years, nearly 45,000 citizens have illegally left Ukraine

This was reported by the non-factional member of the Ukrainian Parliament and member of the Temporary Investigative Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on investigating possible violations of the law in defense measures, Yuliya Yatsyk, citing data from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. reported this information.

She noted that over 7,000 criminal proceedings related to illegal border crossings have been initiated by law enforcement agencies. However, the number of court sentences given out is currently just over 400.

Yuliya Yatsyk also identified the most common methods of illegal border crossing. Among them are:

• using fake documents, such as certificates of removal from military registration, medical commission documents declaring unfitness for service, documents on being a father of many children or court decisions regarding child custody, foreign educational institution student documents, medical documents for treatment or rehabilitation abroad, and the like;
• crossing the border without proper border control, including at border checkpoints;
• using foreign passports;
• crossing the conflict line with subsequent exit through temporarily occupied territories and the territory of the Russian Federation;
• leaving the country through the "Shlyakh" system as a driver engaged in transporting medical or humanitarian goods or in international passenger and cargo transport;
• crossing the border with letters from state or law enforcement agencies to the State Border Guard Service requesting assistance for persons subject to military registration in crossing the state border.

Among the most common problems, according to the MP, are the lack of a clear list of documents required at the border and the absence of controls over the return of individuals within the stipulated period, leading to some citizens not returning to Ukraine. Additionally, closing the "Shlyakh" system to volunteers has negatively impacted the military’s supply of humanitarian aid.

The absence of scanned copies of documents that served as the basis for crossing the border in the border guards’ electronic system makes it impossible to verify the legality of the departure. Additionally, Yuliya Yatsyk added, letters from the Main Intelligence Directorate, military administrations, and other government bodies show signs of lack of control and potential corruption, and the temporary investigative commission has already requested information to verify these facts.