Fewer attempts to illegally cross the border in Ukraine - border guard data

In the first half of 2026, Ukrainian border guards drew up 7,523 reports for illegal crossing or attempted illegal crossing of the state border. On average, this is about 1.25 thousand reports per month - almost 39% less than the average during 2025.

This is evidenced by data from the State Border Guard Service, analyzed by Opendatabot.

In 2025, border guards issued 24,616 such reports, or an average of about 2.05 thousand per month.

Peak occurred in 2024

The number of recorded border violations increased sharply after the start of the full-scale war.

In 2020, 2,413 reports were drawn up, in 2021 - 3,078, in 2022 - already 7,638, and in 2023 - 8,418.

The record year was 2024, when border guards issued 26,928 reports - an average of about 2.24 thousand per month.

In 2025, the figure began to decline for the first time and decreased by about 9% - to 24,616 reports. Data for the first six months of 2026 indicate a further noticeable decrease in the number of such cases.

Almost 40% of violations - in Bukovina

The most reports in the first half of 2026 were drawn up in Chernivtsi region - 2,834, or about 38% of the total.

In second place is Zakarpattia region - 2,170 reports, or 29%. Another 997 cases, i.e. 13%, occurred in Odesa region.

Together, Chernivtsi, Zakarpattia and Odesa regions accounted for about 80% of all reports for illegal crossing or attempted crossing of the border in the first half of the year.

Before the start of the full-scale invasion, such cases were mostly recorded in Odesa and Zakarpattia regions, but over the past two years Chernivtsi region has become the leader.

Number of cases increased in Ivano-Frankivsk region

The situation in Ivano-Frankivsk region has also changed noticeably. Before the full-scale war, such reports were practically not recorded there.

In 2022, there were only five, in 2024 - already 1,209, and in 2025 - 1,109. In the first six months of 2026, border guards issued another 377 reports.

Courts close almost half of the cases

The mere fact of drawing up a report does not automatically mean that a person is found guilty. Cases under Article 204-1 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses are considered by courts.

In 2025, they considered 24,519 such cases. Fines were imposed on 12,628 people - slightly more than half of the total.

Another 10,493 cases, or about 43%, were closed due to the absence of an event or elements of an administrative offense. Administrative arrest was imposed on 57 people.

The total amount of fines imposed for the year was 85.97 million UAH - on average about 6.8 thousand UAH per fined person.

At the same time, only about 24 million UAH, or 28% of the total amount of accrued fines, was voluntarily paid.

What liability is provided

For illegal crossing or attempted illegal crossing of the border, administrative liability is provided. The fine ranges from 3,400 to 8,500 UAH, and the court may also impose administrative arrest for up to 15 days.

For a repeat offense within a year or a group violation, the fine can be from 8,500 to 13,600 UAH. The law also allows confiscation of the means by which the violation was committed.

Separately, the Criminal Code provides liability for illegal border crossing in cases defined by Article 332-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, in particular with the aim of harming the interests of the state or by a person prohibited from entering Ukraine.

Based on materials from: Opendatabot