Ukraine may move border checkpoints onto neighbouring countries' territory amid Russian attacks

Semen Ruban — 26 September, 10:01

Damage caused by Russia at the Starokozache international border crossing. Stock photo: State Border Guard Service of Ukraine

The Ministry for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport is preparing an agreement that will allow Ukrainian border and customs services to operate on Polish territory.

Source: a report by the Ministry for Recovery following a meeting with the Polish side at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk border crossing.

Details: The meeting was attended by heads of Polish voivodeships, representatives of Poland's Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Finance, as well as border and customs service officials from both countries.

The key topic was ensuring the security and stable operation of the Ukrainian-Polish border amid an increase in Russian attacks on Ukraine's border oblasts.

One of the main areas discussed at the meeting was the development of joint border crossing points and joint controls on the Ukrainian-Polish border.

Joint control means that the Ukrainian and Polish border and customs services carry out the necessary procedures at a single location. This format has long been used at five border crossing points on the Ukrainian-Polish border and at the border with Moldova.

During the meeting, the sides separately discussed preparations for an agreement between Ukraine and Poland on joint control. Work on the document is ongoing, but the sides have not yet moved to signing it.

"The conclusion of the agreement would create the necessary legal conditions for further development of joint control, including for Ukrainian border and customs services to operate on Polish territory.

This issue is becoming particularly relevant amid constant Russian attacks on the Ukrainian border and transport infrastructure," the ministry said.

Background:

On 9 September, the Russians attacked the Starokozache border crossing in Odesa Oblast on the border with Moldova, killing two people. The crossing is temporarily closed.
On 13 September, the Russians struck the locomotive of a passenger train in Volyn Oblast, two kilometres from the border with Poland.
On the same day, a petrol station near the Yahodyn border crossing on the border with Poland was damaged in a Russian attack and several lorries caught fire.

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Poland border