26 October 2026, 21:56
In the Odesa region, border guards detained two men in kikimoras
Ця стаття також доступна українською
PHOTO: State Border Guard Service
In the Odesa region, border guards detained two men of draft age who were attempting to leave the country illegally for Moldova. To conceal their identities, they wore "kikimora" camouflage suits.
This was reported by the Southern Regional Directorate of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
Administrative reports were filed against the men. The cases have now been referred to court.
According to law enforcement officials, the incident occurred in the Rozdilnyanskyi District. The men, who were attempting to leave the country illegally, were detected using thermal imaging cameras.
Law enforcement later determined that the detainees were local residents. Border guards note that the detainees had planned their intentions and route in advance. Specifically, according to their report, the men intended to cross the Transnistrian segment of the Ukrainian-Moldovan border. To maintain secrecy, they chose camouflage suits known as “kikimora.” In this way, they hoped to remain unnoticed by border guards.
The “kikimora” (or “Ghillie”) camouflage suit is designed to visually blur a person’s silhouette against the vegetation. However, it only provides protection from the human eye and is completely ineffective against thermal imaging cameras, which detect body heat.
For attempting to cross the border illegally, offenders face a fine ranging from 3,400 to 8,500 hryvnias or up to 15 days of administrative detention, along with the confiscation of the tools and means used to commit the offense (i.e., the suits themselves).
