‘1000 zlotys and get going’: Ukrainian drivers at the border accused their colleagues of bribing protesting Poles

A conflict has erupted among Ukrainian long-haul truck drivers who got stuck in Poland due to the border blockade by farmers. Some drivers accused others of paying Polish protesters to let them pass out of turn.

This was reported by Ukrainian journalists.

“1000 zlotys per truck – and they’re driving without waiting in line. The first case was recorded last night when several dozen trucks crossed the border. Today, another colleague tried to pass without waiting in line. All with Lviv license plates,” the drivers said.

Currently, the queue from the Polish side at the Rava-Ruska – Hrebenne checkpoint has stretched for 28 kilometers and continues to grow. Meanwhile, at the Medyka-Shehyni checkpoint, the Poles refused to let trucks pass both into Ukraine and into Poland.

Meanwhile, due to the border blockade, the cost of delivering goods to Ukraine continues to rise. Currently, transporting a 22-ton cargo from Gdansk to Kyiv costs around 4000 euros. Before the blockade, it cost a maximum of 1500 euros.

Earlier, a German publication published a report from the blocked border with Polish farmers.

“We’re living like dogs, in booths,” one of the Ukrainian drivers standing in line told journalists.

Some trucks there have been waiting to pass for up to 15 days. Long-haul truckers showed how they prepare food, but they have nowhere to wash up.