Amendments to the Border Crossing Rules, which allow men aged 18-22 to exit, have not affected the passenger flow in the Lviv region.
Despite the summer season, the overall passenger flow remains consistently high. Traditionally, it increases on the eve of weekends. Since the start of summer, the load on the checkpoints of the Lviv region has increased by 40%, and on weekends – by another 16% compared to weekdays.
Since the beginning of summer, more than 4.5 million people and over 800 thousand vehicles have crossed the border in the Lviv region. In August, this figure was over 1.5 million people and almost 270 thousand vehicles.
To help travelers plan their routes in advance and choose less congested directions, current information about the situation on the western border section is regularly updated on the official page of the Western Regional Department of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine-Western Border on Facebook and the 7th Border Carpathian Unit.
The most congested checkpoints remain “Krakovets” and “Shehyni”. Moderate congestion is observed at the “Rava-Ruska”, “Hrusheva”, and “Ugryniv” checkpoints, while the least congestion is at “Nyzhankovychi” and “Smilnytsia”.
Recall, the Government has made changes to the Rules for crossing the state border of Ukrainian citizens. Accordingly, the restriction on crossing the state border no longer applies to male citizens of Ukraine aged 18 to 22.
Border guards allow the passage of male citizens of Ukraine aged 18 to 22 inclusive. It is worth noting that this rule does not apply to those holding designated positions in the state authorities, state bodies, and local government organs. The exit abroad for this category can still only be as part of an official business trip.
For men aged 18 to 22 to cross the border, they must have a passport document granting the right to leave the country, as well as a military registration document – in paper or electronic form, presented upon the request of a State Border Service officer.
Commentary by Svetlana Burda, spokesperson of the 7th Border Carpathian Unit.