The surface repairs at the Dorohusk checkpoint are expected to create significant traffic disruptions between August 5 and mid-November, causing inconveniences for travellers, carriers, and truck drivers, EU Helpers reports.
Given the disruptions on the road, truck drivers are more likely to have to expect longer waiting times to enter Poland. The country’s authorities also say that carriers should choose other border crossings until then, if possible.
In this regard, Senior Superintendent Marzena Siemieniuk from the Chamber of Fiscal Administration in Lublin revealed that last Friday, about 300 trucks were waiting in line to leave Poland for Ukraine through the Dorohusk border crossing, and the estimated waiting time to cross the border was 10-12 hours.
Polish border guards had earlier warned about major repairs near the Ukrainian border crossing of Yagodyn.
Polish Protesters Block Truck Traffic at Ukrainian Border Crossing
Following the warning from the Polish border guards, on June 4, Polish protesters blocked truck traffic near the Rava-Ruska-Hrebenne checkpoint, stopping trucks from leaving Ukraine.
They allowed trucks to enter Ukraine according to a schedule: 12 vehicles every 12 hours and four trucks with humanitarian aid every hour. Polish protesters began restricting traffic on the border with Ukraine on February 20. Trucks were blocked at checkpoints, including the following:
- Medyka-Shehyni
- Dołhobyczów-Uhryniv
- Zosin-Ustyluh
- Korczowa-Krakivets
- Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska
- Dorohusk-Yahodyn
The farmers also put forward many demands, including two main ones: the abolition of duty-free trade with Ukraine and the complete closure of the Ukrainian-Polish border to trucks.
Cases of political provocations and damage to Ukrainian agricultural products accompanied the border blockade.
On March 7, 2024, the European Parliament Committee supported extending duty-free trade for Ukraine. On the same day, Ukraine announced that it was ready to limit trade with the EU but on its terms.
Poland Opened All Checkpoints on Border With Ukraine in April 2024
Polish farmers went on a significant strike on March 20, with road blockades and protests nationwide. They completely blocked truck traffic at the Yahodyn and Rava-Ruska border crossings.
However, they reversed their decision on the agrarian blockade of Ukraine on April 4, and ultimately Poland unlocked all checkpoints on the border with Ukraine on April 29.
During this period, Poland also faced a crisis in the transport market. Thus, about 60 per cent of Polish trucking companies planned to reduce their fleet and drivers, and 13 per cent are on the verge of bankruptcy.
