More than 5,400 Ukrainian citizens fled their war-stricken country into Romania in the first seven months of the year, according to Romania’s border police.
The figure is lower then 2023 when 7,600 Ukrainians crossed into Romania without documentation.
In three cases, Ukrainian citizens who had obtained temporary protection in Romania then became guides for other compatriots, and were then remanded in custody for migrant smuggling, News.ro reported.
“The border guards from the territorial inspectorates of the Sighetu Marmatiei and Iasi Border Police and those from the Coast Guard detected, at the border with Ukraine, over 5,400 Ukrainian citizens who illegally crossed the border into Romania, in the first seven months of 2025. The figure is lower than in the same period last year, when more than 7,680 people were detected,” the border police said on Sunday.
They said that Ukrainian citizens who arrived in Romania without going through border controls benefit from a special legal regime, as a result of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“Instead of the usual procedures applied for illegal border crossing, they can request the existing mechanisms for protection, the main instrument being temporary protection, which is regulated at a European Union level and also applied in Romania,” the statement said.
Border guards also mentioned that they have had situations in which Ukrainian citizens, obtained temporary protection, returned to their country and returned to Romania, accompanying other compatriots.
Three Ukrainian citizens who acted as guides have been remanded in custody for migrant smuggling.
“A significant example is the one in July, when border guards from the Valea Vişeului Border Police Sector discovered five Ukrainian citizens who crossed the Maramureş Mountains. Among them was a 23-year-old man, (who was) already a beneficiary of temporary protection in Romania, and had the role of guide. He was detained and held in custody for 30 days,” the Border Police representatives also said.
They added that given the difficult conditions in the mountainous area between Ukraine and Romania – high altitudes, rough terrain and extreme weather – people’s safety is the main priority.
“In collaboration with the Mountain Rescue workers and those of the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, they frequently intervene to provide first aid and save lives. Since the beginning of the year, more than 150 Ukrainian citizens in danger of exhaustion, hypothermia or accidents have been supported,” the border guards also said.
