Ukrainian border guards recently apprehended a 39-year-old man who attempted to cross the Dniester River from Ukraine to Moldova using an air mattress. The man was seen lying face down on the mattress, using his hands to row across the river. He was fully clothed, wearing shoes and carrying a backpack. The border guards, using a drone (UAV), spotted the man and subsequently sent a boat to arrest him for illegally crossing the border.
It was revealed that the man had contacted a stranger on a messaging app who offered to help him cross the border for a fee of $4,200. The man paid half the amount in advance and received instructions on how to use the air mattress while preserving his belongings during the river crossing. The motive behind the man’s border crossing remains unknown, but many Ukrainian men have been trying to leave the country to avoid military conscription, especially since the enlistment age was lowered.
The flow of people crossing the border has increased significantly, prompting Ukraine to mobilize more troops and suspend passport issuance to men of military age who are abroad. An estimated 650,000 Ukrainian men aged 18-60 have left the country since the conflict began. The situation has led to a surge in attempts to cross the border using unconventional methods, such as air mattresses and swimming buoys.
The Ukrainian authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and apprehend individuals attempting to cross the border illegally. It is essential for those considering such actions to carefully weigh the risks and consequences involved in attempting to cross international borders without proper authorization.