On Saturday, April 11, significant queues of passenger cars and buses were recorded at several crossing points along the Polish-Ukrainian border in the Lviv region. As Ukrainians traditionally head home to celebrate the upcoming Easter holidays with their families, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has officially reported a sharp increase in inbound traffic, leading to congestion at key checkpoints.
According to the latest operational data provided by border officials, the most significant delays for travelers entering Ukraine are currently observed at three main border crossing points. At the “Shehyni” checkpoint, approximately 70 passenger cars and 10 buses are waiting for customs and passport control. The situation is similarly tense at the “Krakivets” crossing, where border guards report a backup of 60 cars and 6 passenger buses. Meanwhile, the “Uhryniv” checkpoint is experiencing a milder congestion, with a queue consisting of about 10 passenger vehicles.
This surge in border traffic is a regular phenomenon ahead of major religious holidays like Easter, as thousands of Ukrainians working or residing abroad return to their homeland. Despite the ongoing full-scale war and the persistent security threats across the country, the desire to reunite with family members remains incredibly strong among the Ukrainian diaspora.
Another critical factor shaping the current border crossing experience is the recent implementation of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which officially launched on all external EU borders on April 10. This modernized, automated IT system registers travelers from third countries each time they cross an EU external border. By replacing manual passport stamping with digital biometric registration, the EES aims to enhance security and streamline the crossing process. Thanks to this full-fledged operational rollout, the individual registration process now takes an average of just 70 seconds. However, during peak holiday periods, the sheer volume of travelers can still overwhelm crossing facilities.
In contrast to the inbound delays, the State Border Guard Service notes that traffic remains completely free-flowing at other checkpoints within the Lviv region. Furthermore, there are absolutely no queues reported for travelers heading in the opposite direction—exiting Ukraine towards Poland and other EU states.
“We strongly recommend that citizens take the current border situation into account when planning their trips. Opting for less congested crossing points will save time and ensure a smoother journey,” the border guards advised in their statement. Travelers are heavily encouraged to use interactive maps and official border service resources to monitor queue lengths in real-time before setting out on their journeys.