English Section

Ukraine lets men aged 18–22 cross borders freely, PM says

27.08.2025 10:30
Ukraine has lifted wartime travel restrictions for men aged 18–22, allowing them to cross the border in both directions under martial law, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said, citing a government decree.
The move marks a limited rollback of measures imposed after Russias February 2022 invasion, which barred men aged 1860 from leaving Ukraine, with some exceptions.
The move marks a limited rollback of measures imposed after Russia’s February 2022 invasion, which barred men aged 18–60 from leaving Ukraine, with some exceptions.Photo: PAP/Darek Delmanowicz

Ukrainian men aged 18–22 “are now allowed to cross the border freely in either direction,” Svyrydenko wrote on Telegram, adding the change applies to all citizens in that age group, including those currently outside the country.

The decree takes effect the day after its official publication.

The move marks a limited rollback of measures imposed after Russia’s February 2022 invasion, which barred men aged 18–60 from leaving Ukraine, with some exceptions.

Men aged 25–60 can be conscripted into the armed forces.

On August 12, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked the Cabinet to relax border rules for 18–22-year-old men.

On August 22, a bill allowing them to cross the border was submitted to the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament.

(jh)

Source: The Kyiv Independent, Reuters