How many Ukrainians died trying to cross the border to Romania on the Tisa river / Most of those who want to flee the war by crossing the border illegally choose Romania and Moldova

Around 30 Ukrainians have died trying to illegally cross Ukraine’s borders and avoid fighting in the war against Russia that began in 2022, the spokesman of the Ukrainian border service told the Ukrinform news agency. Of these, 24 died trying to reach Romania by crossing the Tisa River, reports Reuters.

“Some lost their lives while trying to cross a mountain river or cross the mountains,” Andrii Demcenko said, according to a Ukrinform report, transmitted Monday evening, News.ro notes. “In total, since the large-scale invasion began, about 30 people have died trying to cross the border illegally,” the official said.

With some exceptions, Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 are not allowed to leave the country because they could be drafted to fight under Ukraine’s martial law.

On Monday, the State Border Guard Service stated in a post on social networks that 24 men died while trying to cross the Tisa River on the border of Ukraine with Romania.

Demcenko also said that since the beginning of the war, the border guards have discovered about 450 criminal groups that tried to cross the border illegally.

“Attempts to cross the border illegally happen every day,” says Demcenko. “Most of these attempts take place outside the border control points with Moldova and Romania. The largest number with false documents is registered at the border with Poland,” the official said

In early April, Demchenko told Ukrainian state television that an average of 10 men were caught every day trying to leave Ukraine illegally.

Last week, Ukraine suspended consular services for male citizens of military age until May 18, criticizing Ukrainians abroad who, according to Kiev, expect to receive aid from the state without helping it fight for survival in the war against Russia .

In November, the BBC claimed, in a report based on data on illegal border crossings from Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, that almost 20,000 men had fled Ukraine since the start of the war to avoid conscription .