June saw over 2.6 million Ukrainians cross the western border, marking a seasonal surge.

Ukraine's border crossings in June 2023

According to Novyny.live: More than 2.6 million Ukrainian citizens and over 540,000 vehicles passed through the country's western border in June 2023. This increase is attributed to the summer holiday season. Until mid-June, the number of people leaving Ukraine exceeded those returning. However, by the end of the month, more individuals were coming back into the country than departing.

Forecasts for July suggest that the ratio of entries to exits at the western border will be roughly 50-50. In August, a majority of crossings are expected to be inbound. The busiest checkpoints are 'Krakivets' and 'Shehyni', where an average of 115,000 to 120,000 people cross on weekdays. Still, around 100 Ukrainians are denied permission to leave the country each day.

Tips for crossing the border

Andriy Demchenko reports a noticeable rise in departures from Ukraine. For those planning to cross, less congested checkpoints are recommended:

• Ugrinov
• Hrushiv
• Rava-Ruska

For faster passage, consider using 'Smilnytsia' and 'Nyzhankovychi'.

The summer spike in border crossings highlights Ukrainians' eagerness to take advantage of holiday travel, while also underscoring the need to adapt to changing border procedures. The growing number of people returning to Ukraine may reflect a revival of economic activity and social ties following prolonged restrictions. In this context, opting for less busy checkpoints remains a key recommendation to avoid queues and speed up the process.