Border guards: Ukraine-Belarus border region is dangerous, people should not enter forests

Ukraine's State Border Guard Service says it has not received any requests from Belarus regarding the possible opening of the border for Ukrainians to enter Belarusian forests to pick berries and mushrooms, a seasonal activity in border regions under normal circumstances. Officials stressed that if such a proposal were made, Ukraine would not agree to it due to the dangerous situation along the border.

Source: Andrii Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda

Quote: "We have no contact with Belarusian border guards, and the State Border Guard Service has received no communication from them or through any other channels. Moreover, Ukraine would not agree to this because this is a dangerous line, and allowing entry into a country that supports a terrorist state is impossible."

Details: Demchenko pointed out that Ukrainians had indeed been allowed for many years to cross the border to gather wild berries and mushrooms, but that was before Russia's full-scale invasion, when Russian troops entered Ukraine, including from the territory of Belarus.

Since 2022, neither fixed checkpoints nor simplified crossing points with Belarus have been in operation.

Demchenko stressed that border guards have currently not recorded any attempts to cross the border illegally to pick wild berries and mushrooms. The border between Ukraine and Belarus continues to be reinforced.

Quote: "The border with Belarus continues to be reinforced: fortifications have been built along the frontier and minefields are being expanded in the most vulnerable areas. In general, a permit is required to enter, stay, live or work in the border zone."

More details: Asked what he would advise people who might still be tempted to pick berries in Belarus despite the ban, Demchenko said: "People also need to understand that they may be subjected to pressure or influence whilst on the territory of Belarus. So I wouldn't merely advise against it – I strongly urge people not to try to enter Belarus."

Background: Earlier, Belarus's Border Committee said it is willing to provide simplified access for residents of Ukraine to Belarusian forests to pick mushrooms and berries.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon to help us keep reporting!