Men Crossing the Ukrainian-Moldovan Border

The podcast episode explores the phenomenon of Ukrainian men crossing the border into Moldova to avoid military conscription. It reveals that over 15,000 Ukrainian men have crossed illegally into Moldova since the start of the war. The border patrol in Moldova uses drones, thermal imaging, and checkpoints to monitor the border. Despite the risks involved, the demand for assistance in leaving Ukraine remains high, with various methods of crossing the border utilized, such as hiking, swimming, and using fake documents. These men ultimately seek to reunite with family members in the EU and claim asylum. The process involves being detained briefly and then required to go to an immigration center. Once there, they reject asylum and make their way to the EU through Romania. The podcast emphasizes that leaving Ukraine illegally is often the only option for men as exemptions for leaving are limited. The Ukrainian authorities actively attempt to prevent men from leaving, using online messaging platforms like Telegram to advertise services to help men escape. The podcast highlights the shift in attitudes towards the war, with men feeling disheartened and exhausted, no longer willing to sacrifice their lives. The Ukrainian government, divided on the issue, has considered mobilizing hundreds of thousands more soldiers, contributing to increased anxieties about potential conscription and further migration.