Over 3,700 trucks stranded amid ongoing blockade of Poland-Ukraine border

Over 3,700 trucks stranded at Ukraine-Poland border as Polish truckers continue their blockade of key checkpoints, Ukraine’s Border Guard Service reports.

byYuri Zoria

26/12/2023

2 minute read

A queue of Ukrainian trucks at the Rava-Ruska-Hrebenne border crossing point with Poland following a strike a Polish truckers. November 2023. Screenshot from report by Suspilne

Over 3,700 trucks stranded amid ongoing blockade of Poland-Ukraine border

Ukraine's Border Guard Service spokesman Andrii Demchenko told Ukrinform that on the morning of 26 December, over 3,000 trucks were lined up near three key border checkpoints between Ukraine and Poland, facing an ongoing blockade by Polish truckers. An additional 700 trucks were queuing at the fourth border passage that was unblocked days ago.

"According to Polish border guards, as of this morning, there are [some] 3,000 trucks in three directions towards Ukraine: Rava-Ruska - 900, Krakivets - 640, Yahodyn - 1,500 trucks," he said.

Demchenko clarified that on 24 December, traffic was restored at the Shehyni checkpoint near the Polish border where the Polish truckers suspended the blockade, but approximately 700 trucks remained in the queue.
At the Uzhhorod checkpoint on the Slovakian border, 560 trucks were awaiting entry into Ukraine as of the morning.
The Tysa checkpoint from Hungary saw 750 trucks in line to cross into Ukraine.
On the Romania-Ukraine border, 750 trucks were waiting at the Porubne checkpoint as of the morning.

As previously reported, on 6 November, Polish carriers initiated a blockade of truck traffic near Ukraine's three largest border checkpoints: Korczowa-Krakivets, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yahodyn, causing significant losses to the Ukrainian and Polish economies. At least three truckers died while waiting in queues at the border.

One of the claimed primary demands by the Polish truckers is the reinstatement of permits for Ukrainian carriers, that were suspended through an agreement with the European Union until 30 June 2024.

In the meantime, essential military supplies, such as drone components, are among the goods stranded at the border due to the blockade. This situation inadvertently benefits the Kremlin as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues.