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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Ukrainian men aged from 23 to 60 years, who crossed the border as escorts of certain categories of citizens, must return to Ukraine no later than those they helped to leave. Failure to comply with this requirement may cause difficulties when attempting to depart abroad again, although the rules do not establish an automatic ban on subsequent trips.
The corresponding duty is provided by paragraph 2-1 of Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No.57. Lawyer Oleksiy Mendrukh talked about the specifics of applying this provision and the possible consequences of its violation.
The requirement applies to men aged from 23 to 60 years who received the right to leave for escorting people with disabilities, children with disabilities, citizens who require constant external care, as well as the children referred to in paragraph 2-2 of the Rules.
At the same time, the obligation to return in the prescribed manner does not apply to all men who legally left Ukraine. It applies to specific categories of escorts provided for by the government resolution.
Is it allowed to leave without the person who was being escorted
In some cases a man may cross the state border again on his own. To do this, he must provide the documents required by law, in particular a certificate of the escorted person’s registration with the consulate abroad.
At the same time, the right to such departure does not exempt one from the obligation to comply with the established rules for returning to Ukraine.
According to Oleksiy Mendrukh, the legislation does not contain a separate sanction in the form of a fine or other punishment directly for returning later than the person the man escorted.
The issue of liability for violating border crossing rules was raised in draft law No.13673. However, the document did not enter into force: on 16 July 2026 it was withdrawn and removed from consideration.
Can a repeated border crossing be denied
Despite the absence of a special penalty, violation of the conditions of a previous trip can complicate a subsequent departure from Ukraine.
As the lawyer explained, in practice there are cases when border guards ask additional questions of men who previously left to escort other persons and later try to use the same grounds again.
At the same time, according to Mendrukh, Resolution No.57 does not provide for automatic deprivation of the right to a subsequent departure due to late return.
“Cabinet Resolution No.57 does not link non-return or late return with a subsequent ban on crossing the state border on the same grounds,” the lawyer said.
Therefore, a previous breach of escort conditions may be the subject of additional scrutiny. If the border guards decide to refuse departure, that decision must contain a proper legal justification. A citizen has the right to challenge such a decision.
Recall that during martial law certain categories of men may lawfully leave Ukraine. The lawyer explained who has the right to cross the border, which grounds must be confirmed, and which documents to prepare.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "Повторний виїзд за кордон: через яке порушення у чоловіків можуть виникнути проблеми". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: NARDEP 24.
