Ukraine may move border checkpoints onto neighbouring countries' territory amid Russian attacks

What Happened

Ukraine's Ministry for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport said it is preparing an agreement that would allow Ukrainian border and customs services to operate on Polish territory. The announcement followed a meeting at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk border crossing attended by heads of Polish voivodeships, representatives of Poland's Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Finance, and border and customs service officials from both countries. The ministry said the move is prompted by an increase in Russian attacks on Ukraine's border oblasts. Discussions focused on developing joint border crossing points and joint controls, a format already used at five border crossing points on the Ukrainian-Polish border and at the border with Moldova. Work on the bilateral agreement is ongoing but has not yet been signed. The ministry reported that on 9 September Russian forces attacked the Starokozache border crossing in Odesa Oblast on the border with Moldova, killing two people and temporarily closing the crossing. On 13 September, Russian strikes hit the locomotive of a passenger train in Volyn Oblast two kilometres from the Polish border and damaged a petrol station near the Yahodyn border crossing, causing several lorries to catch fire.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Relocating Ukrainian border and customs operations to Polish territory would reduce the vulnerability of checkpoints to Russian strikes on Ukraine's western border infrastructure, potentially maintaining the flow of goods, aid, and people through EU border crossings. It also reflects the expansion of Russian attacks toward oblasts adjacent to EU and NATO territory, raising operational and security implications for Poland and the wider Schengen area.

Watch For

Watch for whether Ukraine and Poland sign the joint control agreement, which the ministry said has not yet been signed. Also monitor which border crossing points are designated for Ukrainian services operating on Polish territory, the reopening status of the Starokozache crossing, and any further Russian attacks on Volyn, Odesa, or other western Ukrainian border oblasts near EU territory.