Approximately 5,000 Ukrainian citizens crossed the border illegally into Romania, mainly through the Maramures Mountains, during the year 2025, the head of the Sighetu Marmatiei Territorial Inspectorate of the Border Police, Chief Police Commissioner Florin Coman told a press conference on Tuesday.

'In 2025, 4,556 cases of illegal border crossing from Ukraine into Romania were recorded, involving around 10,250 Ukrainian citizens: 5,402 in Maramures County, 3,800 in Suceava County and 1,048 at the border sector corresponding to Satu Mare County. Compared with 2024, when approximately 13,000 Ukrainian citizens were detected at the green border, a moderate decrease in the phenomenon can be noticed. Therefore, from the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine to the present, we are talking about 31,618 Ukrainian citizens who have crossed the state border illegally into Romania. It is very important to specify that all these persons detained within the surveillance system were checked against the relevant databases. Thus, checks are carried out in the National Alerts Information System, which is a national component of the Schengen Information System, in the National Visa Information System for Romania, in the Information System for the Management of Foreigners,' Florin Coman said.

According to him, in parallel, persons crossing the border into Romania are also checked in the INTERPOL system.

'Checks are also carried out through INTERPOL to determine whether alerts of operational interest or concerning the national security of Romania or other states have been issued in respect of the persons concerned or the documents presented. Last but not least, after establishing the factual situation and drawing up the criminal investigation documents, they are also checked and registered in the EURODAC database - by taking fingerprints and entering them into the above-mentioned system - so that their situation can also be verified in the future, should this prove necessary,' Florin Coman added.

He further underlined that most illegal border crossings take place in mountainous areas or via the waters of the River Tisa.

'Illegal crossings involve major risks, either through attempts to cross the River Tisa or along difficult mountain routes in the Maramures Mountains, in the Pop Ivan Peak area. Since the start of the conflict to date, 35 Ukrainian citizens have been found dead and more than 200 search and rescue missions have been carried out together with the Maramures County Mountain Rescue Public Service, with 382 people being saved,' the head of the Sighetu Marmatiei Territorial Inspectorate of the Border Police also said.

The Chief Police Commissioner also pointed out that in Maramures and Suceava counties individuals involved in trafficking Ukrainian migrants have been identified.

'As regards migrant trafficking, in 2025 seven criminal cases were registered in Maramures and Suceava counties, involving eight persons who facilitated the illegal crossing of the border for 15 Ukrainian citizens. For six of them, the competent courts ordered pre-trial detention,' Florin Coman added.

The head of the Sighetu Marmatiei Territorial Inspectorate of the Border Police also stressed that for this year the priorities remain strengthening security at the northern border - an external border of the European Union - and increasing the capacity for a prompt response to operational challenges.

'Activity will continue within an integrated framework, with the support of the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Border Police and the central structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, based on the professionalism of the staff, adequate equipment and the experience gained,' Coman stressed.

In this context, head of the Maramures Mountain Rescue Service Dan Benga, who was present at the press conference, said that beyond the figures, saving human lives remains the most important matter.

'As you can see, we are a team here. A team that has been formed over four years of work. But beyond the figures, saving human lives remains paramount,' Dan Benga said.

The open-air press conference held at the Sighetu Marmatiei border crossing point, in the immediate vicinity of the wooden and metal bridge spanning the River Tisa, was also attended by the heads of the Maramures County Gendarmerie Inspectorate, the Maramures Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, the Maramures Regional Centre for Procedures and Accommodation of Asylum Seekers, the Maramures County Police Inspectorate and the Maramures County Mountain Rescue Public Service. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Leontin Cupar; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)