Border guards have claimed they stopped a man disguised as a woman as he tried to flee war-torn Ukraine.
In Ukraine, all men between the ages of 18 and 60 are barred from leaving the country and have been urged to enlist in the armed forces to battle against Vladimir Putin's troops.
Border guards working near the port city of Odessa in southern Ukraine say they seized a 26-year-old man who was trying to cross into neighbouring Moldova by taxi.
In bizarre footage posted on social media, the man can be seen clad in a long black jacket and leopard print hat as he is questioned by guards, the Daily Star reports.
The bemused officials then point to the boot of an open taxi which is packed with luggage.
Taking to Twitter, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine said: "In the Odesa region, border guards together with the Troops found a 26-year-old Ukrainian in a taxi at a checkpoint.
"The traveller in women's clothing planned to get to Moldova. He also had a temporary conscript's certificate with him."
The incident comes after the UN urged Ukraine to have a more relaxed approach to their martial law restrictions.
Speaking in March, Matthew Saltmarsh, head of news and media at UNHCR, the UN refugee agency said: “We recognise that states have a right to self-defence under both the UN charter and customary international law and that states may also require their citizens to perform military service under certain criteria and conditions, in line with international law.
“At the same time … we appreciate these are very challenging circumstances and we would urge a compassionate and humane approach to those who are seeking to flee and are in need of safety and protection.”
It comes as US defence officials have warned that a new horrific phase of Russia's invasion could begin this weekend.
They believe Russia may start moving forces back into Ukraine within the next couple of days, after retreating from Kyiv within the last two weeks.
The new offensive could begin before Russian troops have had a chance to regroup, NBC News reports.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has previously warned of an new offensive approaching, telling reporters: "Ukraine won the battle for Kyiv.
"Now, another battle is coming: the battle for Donbas.”
It is predicted that Russian troops will try and encircle Ukrainian forces between Donbas and the rest of the country, a senior defence official said.
Earlier this week it was reported that Putin's forces have already started moving weapons and equipment into western Russia, ready for the battle.
Meanwhile Ukraine remains desperate for weapons - with president Volodymyr Zelensky offering cargo planes to Western allies to assist them in sending supplies over.
He said he had been frustrated by Western leaders asking repetitive questions about what weapons were needed.
Zelensky told The Atlantic: "You have it and here it is; we know where it is stored. Can you give it to us?
