Border rush by young Ukrainian men occurs as Kyiv loosens war-related restrictions in Poland
Ukraine has announced a significant change in its travel policies, marking a departure from strict regulations introduced in 2022 that barred men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country without exemptions. This decision, announced on August 26, 2022, has opened up opportunities for young Ukrainians to pursue education or work abroad.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the changes to international travel conditions for young Ukrainians in 2023. This decision has sparked a surge in young men crossing the border with Poland, with an additional 10,000 crossing in just seven days. This represents a 10-fold increase from previous numbers.
However, the rule change has raised concerns among Ukrainian businesses. They fear potential labor shortages due to a potential drain of young people. Polish businesses, too, have expressed similar concerns, with the fear of increased competition in the job market.
Relations between Ukraine and Poland have been strained over historical issues, including the slaughter of more than 100,000 civilian Poles by Ukrainian nationalists during World War II. More recently, there have been concerns about Ukrainian grain and food produce flooding the Polish market.
In a contrasting note, Poland has been a haven for Ukrainian refugees. Following the Russian invasion, Poland took in almost 2 million Ukrainian refugees. These refugees were given full employment rights and the ability to use health, education, and social insurance services.
The decision also concerns citizens who, for various reasons, are located outside Ukraine. Young Ukrainians who managed to leave before 2022 would be stopped from leaving Ukraine should they return due to wartime restrictions on young men crossing the border. This meant that young Ukrainians were not returning to their home country for fear of being stuck for an indefinite period without the right to leave.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier signaled that his government was weighing an easing of the travel ban. Some commentators in Ukraine suggest that the rule change is politically motivated, with President Zelensky seeking to gain support from young voters for an upcoming election.
Meanwhile, Poland is preparing to limit benefits for Ukrainians living in Poland, as Poles have become more sceptical about migration from Ukraine. Youth unemployment in Poland has risen significantly, with an unemployment rate of 13.5% in May 2025, a 27.4% increase from the previous year.
Thousands of Ukrainian young men aged 18-22 have crossed the border with Poland, while many others travelled on to other European Union States and the UK. Polish families housed hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees, providing them with much-needed support during their time of need.
The new rules apply to all citizens in the age group of 18-22, offering them a chance to explore opportunities beyond Ukraine's borders. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how this change in policy will impact both Ukraine and its neighboring countries.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
