Conscription fears as young Ukrainian men stopped from leaving occupied areas

Russian soldiers turning back men aged 18 to 35 at only crossing point, say witnesses and NGOs on the ground

• Russia-Ukraine war - latest updates

Young Ukrainian men attempting to leave occupied areas are being turned back by Russian soldiers, as fears grow that they may be conscripted into Russia's army, it has emerged.

At the only crossing point between the occupied areas and the rest of Ukraine, Russian soldiers have told dozens of men aged 18 to 35 there is a ban on letting them leave, according to older men who have successfully crossed, as well as two NGOs involved in helping people evacuate and local Telegram groups.