dpa
Kiev
Ukrainian border guards have prevented two dozen conscripts from fleeing the war-torn country.
The group was detained near the village of Kelmentsi on the border with Moldova in the western Ukrainian region of Chernivtsi, the authorities announced on Thursday.
The conscripts come from different parts of the country and were planning to flee on foot across the green border under cover of night.
Those helping the conscripts to escape reportedly collected ?12,000 ($12,860) per person.
Ukraine has been fending off a full-scale Russian invasion for over two years, has imposed martial law and ordered mobilization. Since then, men between the ages of 18 and 60 who are liable for military service can only leave the war-torn country in exceptional circumstances.
