Over 26,000 Ukrainians have entered Romania since the beginning of the year. Some were “guides” through the Maramureș Mountains
More than 26,000 citizens illegally entered Romania from Ukraine since the outbreak of the war, in 2022, most in the mountain area of Maramureş, announced the head of the Territorial Inspectorate of the Border Police (ITPF) Sighetu Marmaiei, Chestor Florin Coman.
Photo: Facebook/Salvamont Maramureș
Among them were Ukrainian citizens who, after benefiting from temporary protection in Romania, returned to their native country to become guides for other nationals.
“In the eight months of activity (from 2025 – no) we had three special cases. These are three Ukrainian citizens who obtained temporary protection in Romania, after which they were identified again at the border together with other nationals, as a guide. said Florin Coman, quoted by Agerpres, mentioning that they were arrested preventively for 30 days.
Another case aimed at a 23 -year -old Ukrainian young man, a request for a form of protection in Romania, who tried to guide four compatriots across the border. “The judge of rights and freedoms within the Maramures Court ordered the measure of preventive arrest for 30 days for committing the crime of migrants”, said the head of ITPF Sighetu Marmaiei.
The border administered by the Inspectorate has 366 kilometers and covers the counties of Satu Mare, Maramureş and Suceava. Most illegal passes take place through the Maramureş Mountains, one of the most dangerous routes. Salvamontists and border guards have recovered, since the beginning of the conflict, over 150 people in critical condition – exhausted, injured or completely disoriented.
“The Maramureş Mountains have steep portions, ravines, rocks, jnepeniş, but also mountain gaps, some relatively large. Once you enter the wooded area, visibility decreases vertiginously, and the lack of correct appreciation can cause fatal accidents. In winter, the interventions in the alpine area are difficult. It passes in Romania is exposed without realizing the limit situations, some between life and death ”, Dan Benga, director of the Salvamont Maramureş County Public Service warned.
The statistics are dramatic: 29 Ukrainian citizens have died trying to reach Romania from the beginning of the war. Currently, the transition from Ukraine to Romania can be done through the points Sighetu Marmatiei (Maramureş), Halmeu (Satu Mare), Siret and Vicovu de Sus (Suceava).
However, a significant part of the border remains difficult and dangerous, crossing hard -to -reach mountain areas, which do not appear on digital maps.
