(Reuters) – According to Ukraine’s Suspilne public broadcaster, a third Ukrainian truck driver has passed away due to the blockades at the Polish border, which were initiated by Polish truckers. The driver fell ill at the Krakivets-Korczowa crossing, one of the four points affected by the protests, and died while being transported to a hospital, as reported by an official from Ukraine’s international trucking association.
Two truckers had previously died last month due to the blockades, as stated by Suspilne. The truckers have been protesting in response to Ukrainian drivers undercutting their prices. However, Kyiv argues that the high volume of wartime traffic makes it impractical to implement a truck permit system.
Since Nov. 6, Polish drivers have been blocking crossings and are demanding the European Union to reinstate a system requiring Ukrainian companies to obtain permits to operate in the bloc, as well as requiring European truckers to secure permits to enter Ukraine.
Although one of the crossing points, Jahodyn-Dorohusk, was reopened to traffic this week, it could once again be closed following a court ruling that a Polish mayor cannot prohibit truckers from holding a protest in his commune.
It is anticipated that truckers will resume their protest at that location on Monday. The mayor’s decision to halt the blockade was based on concerns that it would negatively impact local employment opportunities.
Similar to the actions of Polish truckers, Slovak truckers also staged protests at border points this week, but concluded their demonstration on Friday.
(Reporting by Ron Popeski; Editing by Alistair Bell)
