Ukraine to provide shelters at all border crossing points by the end of 2026

VALENTYNA ROMANENKO - 1 October, 17:40

Photo: Prosecutor’s Office

The Ukrainian government expects to provide shelters at all border checkpoints by the end of 2026, amid Russian attacks on crossings on the borders with Poland, Romania and Moldova.

Source: Serhii Derkach, First Deputy Minister for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine, in an interview with Radio Liberty

Details: According to Derkach, the European Union will help purchase shelters for approximately one-third of the crossings.

The implementation timeline depends mainly on manufacturers' capacity

Quote: "We hope to provide all border crossing points with shelters by the end of this year. The only issue is production. Production of the shelters in Ukraine takes time because there are currently many facilities that need them."

Details: He added that the Agency for Restoration, which is responsible for infrastructure at border crossing points, is working with companies to provide them with shelters.

According to Derkach, Ukraine has already received confirmation of EU support for the purchases.

Quote: "We approached the European Union for support in providing shelters at border crossing points. We already know that the European Union will help us purchase shelters for approximately one-third of the crossings. We have also received confirmation from an EU-funded international project that funding has been approved for the purchase of a certain number of shelters."

Details: Ukraine is also asking its partners to help build up a stock of modular facilities and equipment for border guards and customs officers. Derkach said this would make it possible to quickly restore the border control process following Russian attacks.

Derkach referred to one border crossing in Odesa Oblast that was attacked. He said the crossing resumed operations within 24 hours after ready-made modular structures were brought in. The structures had originally been intended for another crossing but were moved to the damaged site after the attack.

Derkach said four border crossings in Odesa Oblast have been hit by Russian attacks this year: three on the border with Moldova and the Orlivka ferry crossing on the border with Romania.

Background:

On 12 September, a Russian drone struck a locomotive near the Yahodyn railway crossing on the border with Poland. Shortly before the strike, a diplomatic train carrying, among others, former UK prime minister Boris Johnson had departed from Yahodyn. Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways), Ukraine's state-run railway operator, suggested that the train may have been the target of the attack.
Ukraine is also discussing with neighbouring countries the possibility of moving Ukrainian border and customs checks to their territory.

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