Ukrainian border guards discovered and arrested a man who was using his hand to row an air mattress across the Dniester border river to Moldova.
On April 24, Ukrainian border guards posted a video of a 39-year-old man lying face down on an air mattress, using his hands to row to cross the Dniester River, located between the border of Ukraine and Moldova. The suspect was wearing full clothes, shoes, and a backpack.
Ukrainian forces discovered this man crossing the border using a drone (UAV), then sent a boat to approach and arrest him for allegedly crossing the border illegally.
The man tried to cross the Dniester River to Moldova on an air mattress. Video: DPSU
Ukraine’s Border Guard said the suspect contacted a stranger on a messaging app to cross the border at a cost of $4,200. This person paid half the amount in advance and was instructed on how to use the air mattress, preserve his cell phone and clothes during the river crossing.
This person’s motive for crossing the border is unknown, but thousands of Ukrainian men have tried to go abroad to avoid being drafted into the army. The flow of people crossing the border increased sharply after Ukraine passed a law lowering the military enlistment age from 27 to 25.
Location of the Dniester River flowing from Ukraine to Moldova. Graphics: Google Maps
Ukraine is increasing mobilization of troops to supplement manpower for the front line, and is suspending the issuance of passports to men of military age abroad.
An estimated 650,000 Ukrainian men aged 18-60 have left the country since the outbreak of fighting.
Duc Trung (Theo Insider)