A tense situation has arisen in Zakarpattia: local residents attacked border guards, resulting in casualties
In the village of Velykyi Bereznyi, in Zakarpattia, an unexpected and very serious incident occurred — local residents attacked border guards during law enforcement activities. The incident resulted in injuries to two service members and damage to official vehicles. The information was confirmed by the Western Regional Directorate of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and Zakarpattia police. According to official information received from border guards, the conflict took place on the evening of May 29 in one of the Romani settlements in Velykyi Bereznyi. Law enforcement officers, together with police and National Guard personnel, were conducting a check aimed at identifying individuals responsible for organizing illegal schemes to smuggle men of conscription age across the Ukrainian-Slovak border. It was during this operation that the unexpected attack occurred. As reported by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, when the border guards began questioning citizens regarding their possible involvement in illegal activities, a group of local residents started resisting. "During the check, a group of citizens began to actively oppose law enforcement officers. The initiators of the conflict called on other residents to take action that violated the law. During the assault, residents of the Romani settlement started throwing stones and bricks at the border guards and the service vehicles, creating an additional safety threat," the statement said. To prevent the situation from escalating further and to stop the attack, law enforcement officers were forced to use special equipment, including opening fire with small arms. As a result, two border guards sustained moderate injuries and were hospitalized. Additionally, two official vehicles were damaged, further increasing the tension. Overall, law enforcement reacted quickly — measures are now underway to search for and detain all those involved in the attack. Police have reported the detention of one participant in the conflict, and investigative actions are ongoing to establish the identities of all other individuals who may be involved. Criminal proceedings have already been initiated on this case under Article 345 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine ("Threat or violence against a law enforcement officer") and Article 194 of the Criminal Code ("Deliberate destruction or damage of property"). The investigation is ongoing, and the situation remains tense as all circumstances of the conflict are being clarified. This incident is a vivid example of the complex social and legal situation in the region, which requires attention and effective response from law enforcement agencies and local authorities. Participants in the incident remain under police scrutiny, and the local community is discussing the consequences and potential ways to prevent similar incidents in the future.