Up to 200,000 Ukrainians may return home for Easter – State Border Guard Service

"About 160,000 citizens have already returned from abroad via all routes available to Ukrainian citizens. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, at the moment about 17,000 Ukrainians have declared their desire to return to Ukraine. Of course, these are not all citizens. We expect about 200,000 of our citizens to return on the eve of Easter," he said live on the 1+1 television channel on Tuesday, March 31.

Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter this year on April 12.

On March 26, the State Border Guard Service carried out more than 27,000 border crossing operations. More than 18,000 were Ukrainian citizens who returned from abroad. The largest number of people was recorded at border crossing points with Poland - Yahodyn, Krakivets and Rava Ruska. There was an even greater influx at the border the next day.

On March 26, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address that by the end of March 27, Ukraine would completely close the state border for entry and exit due to the spread of coronavirus infection. According to him, passenger transportation services with foreign countries will be stopped. Diplomatic missions and Ukrainian diasporas will help Ukrainian citizens who remain abroad.

op