Ukraine Guards Claim They’ve Stopped Man In Women’s Clothing Attempting To Escape
Ukrainian border guards say they prevented a man dressed in women's clothing who was attempting to flee the country.
The 26-year-old 'traveller' was at a taxi checkpoint in the Odesa region and was trying to flee to Moldova with temporary conscript's certificates.
They were supposedly attempting to avoid fighting in the Ukraine/Russia war, as men aged between 18 and 60 are expected to enlist in the Ukrainian army.
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As shown in footage circling online, the person involved is dressed in a black jacket and leopard print hat, while talking to Ukrainian border guards.
The camera then pans to the taxi’s trunk, where suitcases and luggage can be seen.
Via translated text, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine tweeted: "In the Odesa region, border guards together with the Troops found a 26-year-old Ukrainian in a taxi at a checkpoint.
"The traveler in women's clothing planned to get to Moldova.
"He also had a temporary conscript's certificate with him."
When Russia’s war on Ukraine broke out in March, the UN urged Ukraine to ‘take a compassionate approach to the enforcement of martial law’.
Speaking last month, Matthew Saltmarsh, head of news and media at the UN’s refugee agency, said, as per The Guardian: “We recognise that states have a right to self-defence under both the UN charter and customary international law and that states may also require their citizens to perform military service under certain criteria and conditions, in line with international law.
“At the same time … we appreciate these are very challenging circumstances.
"And we would urge a compassionate and humane approach to those who are seeking to flee and are in need of safety and protection.”
In his nightly address on Thursday (14 April), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Ukrainians they should be proud of their efforts.
They have survived 50 days under Russian attack when the invaders “gave us a maximum of five”.
He added: “But they didn’t know how brave Ukrainians are, how much we value freedom and the possibility to live the way we want.”
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information
Anish Vij