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Comment by broodbucket | Hacker News Reader

Are Polish border guards actually turning back each and every 18-60 male Ukrainian fleeing for their lives?

I have no clue, but I wouldn't be surprised if the reality differed from the policy here

Normally at a border you have guards from both countries . First you need to leave one country and then you can enter the next one. I have no idea how effective Ukrainian border guards are. Until last week they were not needed for this purpose.

It costs about $200 to leave if you’re a man.

You need to the explain what you mean. For bribing someone? Or for being fully legally allowed to leave.

Bribes.

First of all, the policy is Ukrainian one, the Poles are taking in practically everybody with an Ukrainian passport, it would be inhumane no to do so.

But Ukrainians are understandable too, and some men are allowed to leave. On the other hand, there are also some returning home from Poland. Imagine you went to Poland in order to provide for your family and your family is left at home. There are many cases like this. In such a situation going back is often the only option - staying away would only cause constant suffering with you being anxious if your wife and kids are safe at that moment or not, and frantically reading all reports of bombing and civilian casualties.

From what I heard, there are exceptions (father is the only parent, medical reason,…)

The ban on draftable men leaving is a Ukrainian rule, not a Polish one.

I know, my question was whether Poles would enforce this rule.

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