Since Russia invaded in 2022, all Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 have needed to obtain permits to leave the country. But those below the age of 23 can now cross the border freely. Will that lead to an exodus of young men, as many fear?

Kyiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukrainian authorities have changed border regulations, allowing men under the age of 23 to leave the country without needing special permits, a rule that had been in place since the Russian invasion. Previously, men aged 18 to 60 needed to obtain difficult-to-get travel permits and prove their intent to return.

Officials report that there has not been a mass exodus of young men since the rule was relaxed, with most travelers still being women, children, and pensioners. Men under 23 can now travel freely until they reach the draft age of 25, after which they must register with military authorities if abroad. While some critics argue the new rule could send the wrong message about the ongoing conflict, supporters believe it may encourage young men to stay in Ukraine for education.

Ukraine no longer requires travel permits for young men

This border has been shut to Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 since Russia invaded back in 2022. If you want to leave, you need to get a special permit and prove you're coming back. These permits are often very difficult to obtain. But that's all changed for those under 23. They can now travel freely. While women, children and pensioners still make up the majority of people crossing into Poland, at this checkpoint near Lviv, younger men are no rarity either. Where are you going? I'm going to visit Svahrad. And where does Svahrod live? In Krakow. I've been living there for four years now. How long will you be away? A week or two at most. Where are you going, Ilya? To Warsaw. What are you going to do there? I'll see the city. I'll see my relatives. Ukrainian authorities say they haven't seen the mass exodus of young men that many critics of the new rules had predicted. Queues at the border, they say, are down to the annual summer holiday season. But transport providers say they have noticed an uptick in interest from younger men. There's no limit on how many times and how long men under 23 can leave for. That is, until they reach military draft age at 25. If they don't return to Ukraine, men over 25 are obliged to register with military authorities through Ukrainian embassies abroad and face a call up to go home to fight. Most, but not all, of the young men DW spoke to say they plan to return to Ukraine. I will definitely return to Ukraine. I'm home, I'm home. I don't see myself abroad and I don't want to live there. The time has come, the chance has come. I need to use it for a couple of days, to see my relatives. Home is home. I want to, but I don't know what else to say. 21-year-old Andriy tells us he has no plans to return to Ukraine for now. He's heading to the Netherlands to find a job as a welder. For others, having the option to leave the country isn't a question of emigrating or staying. It's about getting back some normality. Ivan and his mother Gloria are crossing on foot to shop at a supermarket just behind the Polish border before heading back. It's cheaper here. It's a good law. As long as it works, it's good. Ivan's mother doesn't think the new rules will see large numbers of young men leaving forever. Those who had a wish, they did it much earlier. Of course, it's possible to have some luck, but in the end, no one changes their life in one day. He has plans. He's 21 years old. Someone is studying, someone is already working. What's the point of leaving Ukraine? Critics say letting younger men leave freely sends the wrong message, that this war is almost over and that their country doesn't need them in the army. All at a time when peace seems further away than ever. Its defenders argue that this way at least younger men anxious about military service will stay and get a Ukrainian education until they're 22. At present, many parents pack their sons off abroad at age 17 to make sure they can leave the country.

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Ukraine no longer requires travel permits for young men

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Ukraine Invasion