Moldova refuses to hand over Kyiv resident who swam across Dniester to Ukraine

Moldovan authorities have rejected Ukraine's request to extradite a citizen who attempted to swim across the Dniester River. The man will not be handed over to participate in the country's defence.

Attack during border crossing

Moldovan television reported on the incident. It concerns 49-year-old Kyiv resident Oleksiy Kovali, whose profession is psychologist and psychotherapist. According to witnesses, two Ukrainian border guards attacked him while he was trying to cross the river.

They pursued the man in a motorboat and struck him several times on the head with oars. Oleksiy Kovali himself claims that he lost consciousness, and that the boat, with its propeller running, approached him dangerously in the water.

Medical diagnosis and victim's condition

Local residents helped pull the man out of the water. Doctors at the Soroki District Hospital diagnosed him with a concussion and abrasions. The patient's condition is currently stable, but he continues to receive treatment at the medical facility.

Oleksiy Kovali noted that he suffers from deep vein thrombosis. Despite this dangerous condition, he attempted to swim across the Dniester to reunite with his family, who had previously left Ukraine.

Criminal case against military personnel

A criminal case has been opened in Moldova against the Ukrainian border guards themselves. They are allegedly suspected of illegal border crossing.