Bill No. 13685, which allows men under conscription age to travel abroad, has appeared on the parliament's website. This aims to simplify the return of young people to Ukraine and maintain ties with their families.
The Russian Human Rights Commissioner and a representative of the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights met with the mediation of Belarus. The parties discussed family reunification, visits to prisoners, and exchange of letters.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine records an increase in attempts of illegal border crossing. Since the beginning of 2025, over 13,000 people have been detained, some repeatedly.
The released defenders of Ukraine were greeted along the roads with flags and sincere smiles. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets shared a video where Ukrainians meet the liberated heroes.
Ukraine conducted its 68th prisoner exchange on Independence Day. Military personnel and civilians returned, including journalists and the former mayor of Kherson.
Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange, bringing home servicemen of the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, and civilians. Most of them had been in captivity since 2022, including journalist Dmytro Khyliuk.
On Independence Day, the President of Ukraine honored 126 border guards for their courage, 61 of them posthumously. The awards include the Orders "For Merit", Bohdan Khmelnytsky, "For Courage" and medals.
Drone operators of "Prime" from the 5th border detachment destroyed a telecommunication tower and a fuel and lubricants depot belonging to the Russians. A mortar installation, a satellite communication terminal, and an enemy dugout were also eliminated.
AFU officer Andriy Tkachuk does not consider a repeated invasion from Belarus during joint exercises with Russia. He believes that the exercises are aimed at pressuring the Baltic countries and Poland.
In Lviv, border guards of the 7th Carpathian Border Detachment created a living flag of Ukraine on Mount Baba Rod. The wife of Hero of Ukraine Roman Hakh lit blue and yellow smoke bombs.
Fighters of the "Hart" brigade, using FPV drones, hit an enemy cannon, mortar, and machine gun near Vovchansk. Two vehicles and elements of the occupiers' communication and drone control system were also destroyed.
SBGS spokesperson Andriy Demchenko announced increased responsibility for illegal border crossing. The bill will allow border guards to review administrative protocols on the spot and will strengthen punishment for violators.
Yulia Svyrydenko registered a bill to strengthen responsibility for illegal border crossing. The document provides for clarification of administrative and criminal liability, as well as strengthening punishment for intermediaries.
In Vinnytsia region, border guards detained two men who tried to illegally cross the border by swimming across the Dniester River. The offenders were promptly apprehended by a border patrol.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved a draft law that strengthens responsibility for violations by conscripts, those liable for military service, and reservists regarding the period of stay outside Ukraine. It is proposed to supplement the Criminal Code with a new qualifying feature and establish criminal liability for illegal border crossing during martial law.
Border guards of the Chop detachment exposed a clergyman of the UOC who tried to illegally smuggle a conscript across the border for $10,000. He hid the man in his own car under his cassocks.
The Ukrainian government is considering a resolution that would allow men under the age of 22 to travel abroad. The decision may be made by the end of the current week.
Several attempts at illegal movement of goods were stopped at the Ukrainian-Polish border. Among the seized items were electronic cigarettes, Apple AirPods headphones, old coins, cosmetics, alcohol, coffee, and narcotic drugs.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded Denys Prokopenko ("Redis") with the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, II degree. Ten National Guard servicemen also received the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, III degree.
On August 17, GRU drones hit the railway station "Liski" in the Voronezh region. This disrupted railway communication and stopped the supply of ammunition and personnel to the occupiers.
At the international border crossing "Kelmentsi-Larga" on August 15 and 16, the road surface will be replaced. This will lead to a significant slowdown of traffic and redirection of transport.
Ukraine expects an increase in risks and possible provocations during the active phase of joint exercises of Belarus and Russia from September 12 to 16. The spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, Andriy Demchenko, stated the absence of strike groups but warned about information escalation.
In the Kharkiv region, border guards captured a 19-year-old Russian soldier. He spent a month and a half at the front but did not receive the promised salary.
SBGS spokesman Andriy Demchenko stated that illegal border crossing by men harms Ukraine's image. Border guards are strengthening measures to prevent such cases.
Russian troops are actively shelling Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv regions with artillery, mortars, and drones. A significant increase in the use of drones has been recorded, and Kharkiv and Sumy regions are also suffering from air raids.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine recorded an increase in passenger traffic for entry in July and August. In July, almost 4.2 million citizens crossed the border in both directions.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine warns of temporary traffic restrictions for exiting the country through the "Ustyluh - Zosin" checkpoint starting August 12. The reason is road surface repairs, which will lead to reverse traffic and possible queues.
In Zakarpattia, near the village of Pallo, 19 citizens of Ukraine who were attempting to illegally cross the border into Slovakia were detained. The violators were detected by cameras, and operational groups arrived at the scene.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, stated that provocations are possible during the joint military exercises of Russia and Belarus, but there is currently no strike group near the Ukrainian border.
Ukraine considers weapons exports: is selling possible during wartime?.
