Report: Poland uncovers a scheme to smuggle Ukrainian men into the country using fake trucks

Polish officials have revealed that Ukrainian citizens of military age (18–60) are using a fake truck driver’s license scam to evade the gruesome conscription in their country.

According to Polish reports leaked to German authorities, several forged Ukrainian truck drivers’ licenses were seized at border crossings and were believed to be intended to secure the right to leave the country, based on the fact that truck drivers were required to continue working as part of Ukraine’s economic defense.

This comes under Ukraine’s state of emergency, which prohibits military-qualified men from leaving the country without official permission.

Confidential documents indicate that a qualified truck driver can circumvent this ban, as the license is granted by authorities as an exception for performing essential tasks such as transportation.

In one chapter of the case, Polish authorities announced the seizure of 203 blank truck licenses—meaning they lacked personal information—in a bag on a bus arriving from Ukraine.

These licenses were later modified to include truck driving licenses.

Border officials pointed to the involvement of specialized organized gangs in forging these permits, according to Polish security authorities.

However, the Ukrainian embassy denied the existence of such a broad context, stressing that: “A (C) license alone isn’t sufficient to leave the country… Proof of employment with licensed companies, registration in the ‘Reserv+’ system, and an official permit are also required”.

The Ukrainian system doesn’t actually prevent men from obtaining truck licenses, but rather requires them to be employed in official, licensed work.

In 2024, Polish border officials prevented 498 men eligible for conscription from entering the country, compared to 118 cases in the first half of 2025.