An air mattress was discovered by Ukrainian border guards when they observed a 39-year-old man attempting to cross the Dniester River from Ukraine to Moldova. The man, fully clothed with a backpack and shoes, was spotted lying face down on the mattress, using his hands to row across the river.
The suspect was apprehended after Ukrainian forces used a drone to observe his illegal border crossing and sent a boat to intercept him. It was reported that the man had contacted someone on a messaging app who had arranged for him to cross the border for a cost of $4,200.
Ukraine has intensified its troop mobilization efforts as conflict continues in the country. In response, they have stopped issuing passports to men of military age who are abroad. An estimated 650,000 Ukrainian men between the ages of 18-60 have left the country since conflict began. This incident sheds light on the challenges and risks faced by individuals trying to navigate border crossings in tumultuous times.
