State Border Guard Service of Ukraine
On February 5, the 71st prisoner exchange took place, as a result of which 150 military personnel and 7 civilians were returned. Among them are 19 illegally convicted defenders, 15 of whom received life sentences, as well as Mariupol defenders.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the return of 157 Ukrainians, including military personnel and civilians, as part of the first exchange after a long pause. Most of them had been in captivity since 2022.
In Vinnytsia region, a 31-year-old man drowned in the Dniester while trying to illegally cross the border. He crossed part of the river on ice, but could not withstand the low temperature and strong current.
A Lieutenant Colonel of the State Border Guard Service and his cousin from Russia smuggled over 70 conscripts into the EU for $17,000-20,000. They produced forged documents from the International Organization for Migration.
A man who tried to illegally cross the border with Romania was detained in Zakarpattia. He was wanted on suspicion of rape and tried to escape on the day of the trial.
The most powerful weapon is experience: "Athlon Avia" identified the best "Furia" crews at the Combat Experience Forum "Furia_Mission_2025".
In Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, a border guard operating an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) evacuated a wounded UAV pilot from the 36th Separate Marine Brigade. The soldier sustained leg injuries and was transported using a ground robotic complex.
At all Ukrainian checkpoints on the border with Moldova, border control is carried out as usual. However, due to black ice, the processing of cargo vehicles has been suspended at some checkpoints.
The High Anti-Corruption Court has set bail of UAH 10 million for former head of the State Border Guard Service Serhiy Deineko and UAH 2 million for the former head of the border crossing point department. They are suspected of systematically receiving bribes for unhindered border crossing.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine refuted information about 500,000 young men leaving the country in the last six months, calling it biased. Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, stated that border guards had not made such assessments.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded former MP, and now military serviceman, Oleh Lyashko with the Order "For Merit" of the III degree. Also honored were soldiers of unmanned systems units, including Oleh Huita and Yuriy Fedorenko, who received the "Golden Star" Orders of Heroes of Ukraine.
The State Border Guard Service announced the resumption of database operations at Polish checkpoints. A technical failure had occurred earlier.
In Volyn, a law enforcement officer demanded UAH 200,000 from a serviceman for his transfer to a rear unit. The suspect was detained after the last transfer of UAH 100,000 and faces up to 8 years in prison.
Polish farmers planned a strike on January 23 at the Dolhobyczów-Uhryniv checkpoint, but no lane blockages were recorded. About 30 people gathered near the border without official permits for the blockade.
The driver of the Košice-Svaliava regular bus tried to break through the border in Uzhhorod to avoid detention. The 49-year-old man was wanted and fled to Slovakia, leaving the bus.
NABU and SAP announced suspicion to the former head of the State Border Guard Service and a current official of the State Border Guard Service. They were exposed for systematically receiving undue benefits for facilitating unhindered border crossing.
In Kharkiv Oblast, the enemy is active in the direction of Dihtiarne, attempting to expand the combat zone to Nesterne and Kruhle. Activity is also recorded near Dvorichanske and Vovchanski Khutory, but without success for the occupiers.
Russian troops most actively stormed the positions of Ukrainian border guards in the Pokrovsk, Lyman directions, and Kharkiv region. Over the past week, the enemy lost 161 killed and 146 wounded occupiers.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, reported a significant decrease in passenger traffic at the state border after the holidays. Over the past day, 63,000 citizens crossed the border, which is lower than average.
Border guards of the Mukachevo detachment recorded the aurora borealis over the Carpathians at three in the morning. This phenomenon occurs when charged particles of the solar wind collide with the Earth's magnetic field.
On January 18, the database for processing freight vehicles was suspended at the Ukrainian-Polish border at the Medyka and Hrebenne checkpoints. At the Korczowa and Krakovets checkpoints, freight processing is proceeding at a slower pace.
On the border with Romania, border guards rescued a man who fell through the ice while attempting to illegally cross the border. The offender was taken to the hospital, and his life is not in danger.
The SBI exposed two TCC sergeants in Ivano-Frankivsk region who were illegally transporting men of conscription age to Romania for money. They charged 8,000 dollars for their services and ensured unhindered passage.
DBR employees detained a border guard who helped conscripts evade mobilization. He arranged fictitious disability for $12,000.
Drone pilots of the State Border Guard Service in southern Ukraine hit quad bikes, a communication antenna, and a ground-based robotic complex of the Russian invaders. Border guards are effectively reducing the enemy's capabilities.
Border guards of the Chernivtsi detachment discovered the illegal export of Scythian arrowheads and coins. A citizen of Ukraine tried to smuggle 16 coins, 39 Scythian arrowheads, and a Scythian axe.
Last year, Russian troops carried out about 150,000 shellings of State Border Guard Service positions, which is twice as many as the year before. This year, the enemy is significantly increasing the use of drones.
At the Mamalyha checkpoint, a DAF truck driver transporting alcohol was detained. Among the goods, seven men of military age were found, whom the driver tried to smuggle to Moldova.
Queues for entry into Ukraine have been recorded at the Krakevets and Shehyni checkpoints. 210 cars and 18 buses are waiting for passage.
Border guards "Pastor" and "Korea" from the "Steel Border" held their positions for 131 days without rotation. They repelled six massive enemy assaults, and their evacuation lasted two weeks under fire.