Ukrainian Border Guards Responded To Lukashenko's Foreign Ministry
5- 25.06.2026, 14:09
- 4,716
Ukraine will not allow people to enter foreign forests.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has not yet received any notifications from the Republic of Belarus regarding allowing Ukrainians to cross the border to pick berries and mushrooms in Belarusian forests, and even if it does receive such a request, it will not agree to it, as it is dangerous to be in the border zone.
This was stated by the spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service Andriy Demchenko in a comment to “Ukrainska Pravda”:
“We are not in contact with the Belarusian border guards. The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has received nothing from them. Nor has it received anything through other channels. Moreover, Ukraine will not agree to this, because it is a dangerous precedent, and entry into a country that supports a state sponsor of terrorism is impossible.”
Demchenko noted that the practice of allowing Ukrainians to cross the border to gather wild berries and mushrooms had indeed existed for many years, but that was before Russia’s full-scale invasion, during which its troops entered Ukraine, including from Belarusian territory.
Since 2022, neither the permanent border crossing points with Belarus nor the simplified ones have been in operation.
Demchenko emphasized that border guards are currently not recording any attempts to cross the border illegally for the purpose of gathering wild berries and mushrooms. Meanwhile, the border between Ukraine and Belarus continues to be fortified.
“In general, the border with Belarus continues to be reinforced: fortifications have been built along the border line, and minefields are being expanded in the most dangerous areas. And in general, a permit is required to enter, stay, reside, or conduct work in the border zone,” the State Border Guard Service representative noted.
When asked what advice he would give to people who, despite the ban, might be tempted by berries from Belarus, Demchenko replied: “People also need to understand that they may be subjected to pressure or influence while on Belarusian territory. Therefore, I don’t just advise against it—I strongly warn people not to try to enter Belarus.”
Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims
You can contact us by the e-mail [email protected]
