2024-08-07 15:45:43
An operation to combat illegal migration and smuggling is underway in Slovakia on the border with Ukraine. This was reported to journalists by Slovak Interior Minister Matus Sutaj-Estok, Day.Az reports with reference to TASS.
“The number of attempts to illegally cross [границу Украины со Словакией] increased against the backdrop of the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine, he said. – An operation to combat illegal migration and smuggling began on Friday [на границе с Украиной]”.
The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs expressed particular concern about the increased number of attempts to smuggle weapons and drugs from Ukraine. The operation, which involves more than 400 police officers and several hundred units of special equipment, will last for 24 hours and end on Saturday. Patrolling of the border with Ukraine has now been stepped up.
Meanwhile, Šutaj-Eštok noted that the need for the operation was caused by the growing activity of criminal groups specializing in the transportation of illegal migrants. Slovak media, citing a representative of the republic’s police leadership, reported that since the beginning of 2024, about 700 people have been detained on the border with Ukraine, most of whom were Ukrainian men who were unable to legally use the existing border crossings due to the Kyiv authorities’ ban on conscripts leaving the country. If they apply for temporary asylum in Slovakia, they receive it and are not subject to deportation to their homeland.
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