Ukrainian authorities announced on Friday that they had arrested 41 men of military age hiding in a grain truck they believe was heading to the border with Romania or Moldova.

The vehicle was inspected overnight near the village of Novosilske, the Ukrainian border guard said. The village is a few kilometers from the border with the two countries, in the southwestern part of the country.

Criminal proceedings were initiated against them because they tried to cross the border illegally. They come from 12 regions and are between the ages of 18 and 60, meaning they could be conscripted and serve in the war with Russia that broke out in 2022 when Russian troops invaded Ukrainian territory.

An investigation is underway against two people who allegedly facilitated an attempt to leave the country illegally, according to the same source.

According to a separate statement, border guards arrested another man in the Carpathians, near the border with Romania. He called for help as he had been injured in his fall from a great height. The man, also of military age, comes from Kherson (south).

As of February 24, 2022, martial law has been imposed in Ukraine and general conscription has been declared. Ukrainians of military age are allowed to leave the country only if there are special reasons or they have been given permission to do so. However, dozens of people try to avoid conscription every day by crossing the border and asking for asylum.