Nearly 2,500 Ukrainian citizens were detected by Romanian border guards while illegally crossing the border from Ukraine into Romania in the first half of 2026, according to the Romanian Border Police.
According to the Territorial Inspectorate of the Border Police in Sighetu Marmației, between January 1 and June 30, 2026, approximately 1,200 Ukrainians were detected in Maramureș County, about 1,000 in Suceava County, and more than 300 along the section of the border between Satu Mare County and Ukraine.
Compared to the same period in 2025, the number of such cases decreased by approximately 33%. At that time, Romanian border guards detected more than 3,700 Ukrainian citizens who had crossed the border illegally.
The Romanian Border Police note that most of those detained claim they left Ukraine because of the war and are applying to the Romanian authorities for one of the forms of protection provided for under the country’s legislation.
The most dangerous routes remain the Tisa River and the mountainous regions of Maramureș. According to Romanian authorities, the challenging terrain, unpredictable weather, and lack of proper equipment make such crossings life-threatening.
During the first six months of 2026, Romanian border guards, in collaboration with the Salvamont Maramureș mountain rescue team, conducted 22 search-and-rescue operations, during which 38 Ukrainian citizens who found themselves in distress in the mountainous border area were rescued.
Since the start of the full-scale war, the Inspectorate in Sighetu Marmației has identified more than 34,000 Ukrainian citizens along Romania’s northern border. During this period, border guards, together with rescue teams, conducted more than 230 search-and-rescue operations in the Maramureș Mountains and rescued more than 430 Ukrainians.
The Romanian side emphasizes that it continues to secure the 366 km of the Romanian-Ukrainian border within the Inspectorate’s area of responsibility, using modern surveillance equipment and in coordination with other units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and institutional partners.
As of Sunday evening, a buildup of vehicles heading to Ukraine is observed on the Ukrainian-Polish border, the Western Regional Directorate of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reports.
Thus, at the Hrushev checkpoint, a queue of 30 cars and 6 buses has formed for entry into Ukraine; at the Krakivets checkpoint – 70 cars and 11 buses; at Shehyni – 45 cars and 15 buses; and at Nyzhankovychi – 20 cars.
“At present, the Ugryniv, Rava-Ruska and Smilnytsia checkpoints are not overloaded for entry into Ukraine,” the State Border Guard Service noted.
A buildup of passenger cars leaving Ukraine was recorded only at the Hrushev checkpoint – 30 cars; there is no buildup of passenger cars at the other checkpoints.
At the same time, in bus traffic leaving Ukraine, a buildup is recorded at the Krakivets checkpoint – 4 buses, at the Smilnytsia checkpoint – 8 buses, and at the Nyzhankovychi checkpoint – 1 bus.
“To avoid long waits in front of the checkpoint, we recommend choosing less congested checkpoints, as well as crossing the border early in the morning or late in the evening,” the border guards urged.
On June 29 and 30, Romania will temporarily restrict the movement of trucks weighing more than 7.5 metric tons on a number of roads due to a severe heat wave, according to Romania’s National Road Infrastructure Management Company (CNAIR).
The restrictions will be in effect on Monday and Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on sections of national roads, expressways, and highways in 35 counties across the country, including Suceava, where border crossing points with Ukraine are located.
As a result, temporary restrictions on freight traffic may be imposed at the Ukrainian-Romanian border through the “Krasnoilsk–Vicovu de Sus” and “Porubne–Siret” border crossing points. According to preliminary information, the restrictions will apply to trucks, including those traveling without cargo.
The Romanian side explains this decision by the need to protect the road surface from damage under conditions of extremely high temperatures. During intense heat, heavy vehicle traffic can deform the asphalt, especially during the daytime hours when temperatures are at their highest.
The duration of the ban may be adjusted depending on weather conditions and decisions by Romanian authorities. Carriers planning to cross the border through the Chernivtsi region are advised to factor in possible delays in advance and monitor announcements from border and road authorities.
Vehicle traffic through the “Solotvyno–Sighetu Marmatiei” checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Romanian border will be temporarily suspended from June 8 to 17, 2026, the State Customs Service of Ukraine (SCSU) reported.
It is noted that the restrictions will be in effect daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
“According to information from the Romanian side, the closure is related to infrastructure work on the historic bridge across the Tisa River,” the SCS added.
At the same time, during this period, pedestrian traffic through the checkpoint will continue as usual.
The SCS asks citizens and carriers providing passenger transportation to take this information into account when planning their trips and, if necessary, to choose alternative border crossing routes.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS) is launching a new “Personal Account” service so that citizens can independently check for restrictions on travel abroad, according to the SBGS press office.
“The new service on the SBSU website allows users to receive real-time information about restrictions imposed based on court decisions and rulings by the State Enforcement Service,” the statement said.
The service specifically addresses temporary restrictions imposed by a court or the enforcement service (child support, fines, other debts).
The “Personal Account” will be useful for parents who evade alimony payments or individuals who evade the enforcement of court decisions.
Previously, to obtain such information about travel restrictions, one had to submit a written request to the Main Center for Processing Special Information of the State Border Guard Service (by mail or in person) and wait several weeks for a response.
However, travel restrictions due to martial law (for men aged 18–60 and individuals subject to the provisions of paragraph 214 of the Rules for Crossing the State Border by Citizens of Ukraine, approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 57 dated July 21, 1995) are verified according to separate rules and are not displayed in the account.
The State Border Guard Service notes that the service does not lift existing restrictions but allows users to quickly identify and resolve them.
The service operates 24/7 and is accessible from any device—smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Slovakia has reopened border crossings with Ukraine that had previously been closed due to a massive airstrike on border regions, DennikN reports.
“Border crossings with Ukraine are open again in both directions; according to police, the situation remains calm for now,” the report states.
Border processing resumed at 5:47 p.m. Kyiv time. According to police, the crossings had been temporarily closed on the Ukrainian side.
As previously reported, the Slovak side closed all border checkpoints on the border with Ukraine on Wednesday, according to Slovakia’s Financial Administration.
