On April 22, 2025, repair work began at the Sheghini checkpoint, which will affect passenger traffic for the next three weeks. According to the official announcement, from 10:00 in the morning one of the lanes will be closed, which means a partial restriction of the exit of cars from the territory of Ukraine. According to preliminary estimates, the works will last approximately until May 10. During this period, you should expect an increase in load, possible traffic jams and queues, in particular during peak hours. This technical limitation has a practical but very sensitive dimension for Ukrainian citizens who cross the state border every day, in particular — refugees who leave the country or return home.
The importance of the “Sheghini” point
The Sheghini checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Polish border is one of the busiest and most popular among Ukrainian refugees, labor migrants, volunteers, drivers of international transport and transit tourists. This is one of the few points that has separate pedestrian corridors, so it is actively used by those who do not have their own transport or travel by bus.
Tens of thousands of women, children, and elderly people left through Sheghini in February 2022 in the first weeks of the full-scale invasion. This point played an extremely important role in ensuring the safe exit of the civilian population during peak evacuation waves.
In 2023–2024, against the background of partial returns and new waves of departures, the “Sheghini” corridor remained the busiest corridor in the Western direction. That is why even a partial restriction of movement can have significant consequences for those who plan to cross the border in the coming weeks.
What exactly will change: the nature of the restrictions
According to available information, the restrictions apply to cars leaving Ukraine. One of the lanes will be closed completely during the repair period. This means that:
- registration speed may decrease;
- you will have to wait longer in line, especially during peak hours — mornings, evenings and weekends;
- it is possible to redirect traffic to neighboring checkpoints, which will also increase the load on the infrastructure of other checkpoints.
Those who cross the border on foot are currently able to pass, but delays are also possible for them if the checkpoint workers are overloaded.
Alternative routes
Due to the restrictions, the border service and road authorities recommend planning your route in advance and, if possible, using other border crossing points. Among them:
- Rava-Ruska is the nearest point with a large flow, convenient for cars;
- Hrushiv and Ughryniv — less congested, but with limited infrastructural potential;
- Smilnytsia and Nyzhankovichi are convenient for residents of the border regions of Lviv Oblast and Prykarpattia, but are less popular due to narrow roads and a less powerful customs infrastructure.
However, it should be taken into account that some of these points may have their own time constraints, less developed logistics, limited pedestrian access or weak transport interchange.
Consequences for those planning to leave or return
For Ukrainian refugees who plan to go to Poland for the purpose of extending temporary protection, resolving document issues, employment or study, possible delays can have sensitive consequences. This is especially relevant for those who have fixed appointments in Polish institutions, in particular in administrations, municipalities or hospitals. Similarly, for those returning to Ukraine, it is important to calculate the time with a margin and have a “B” plan in case of a critical load on the “Sheghini” PE.
Repair work at the Sheghini checkpoint, which will last approximately until May 10, is not catastrophic, but requires advance planning, especially for the most vulnerable categories of citizens. Ukrainian refugees, who are already facing logistical, legal, and psychological difficulties, should receive maximum information and support from state structures and public organizations regarding alternative routes and support when crossing the border.
