Ukrainian ambassador confirms land routes remain primary exit for citizens stranded in kuwait amid regional conflict

Ukrainian citizens in Kuwait must use Saudi land borders to evacuate as air travel remains disrupted following regional drone attacks.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 8:49 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Ukrinform

Limited Evacuation Options

Maksym Subkh, the Ukrainian ambassador to Kuwait, has confirmed that the only viable path for citizens wishing to leave the country is currently through the land borders of Saudi Arabia. Following a series of military escalations that have compromised regional airspace, traditional commercial flight paths from Kuwait have become unreliable. Subkh noted that while air traffic continues to operate within Saudi Arabia in a reduced capacity, it remains the most accessible hub for those attempting to reach secondary destinations such as Turkey, Egypt, or Cyprus.

Status of the Ukrainian Community

There are currently an estimated 800 Ukrainian nationals residing in Kuwait, consisting of roughly 600 permanent workers and residents alongside 200 temporary visitors and tourists. Despite the proximity of the ongoing conflict, the embassy has reported that there is no widespread demand for immediate mass evacuation. A specialized registration form created to track those seeking departure has only seen 25 entries to date, with 18 individuals expressing a firm desire to leave for various personal or safety reasons.

Impact of Recent Drone Strikes

The security situation in Kuwait escalated significantly on February 28 when an Iranian strike drone targeted Kuwait International Airport, resulting in injuries to several employees. This incident followed joint military strikes by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran, which triggered retaliatory attacks on various Western aligned bases across the region. The volatility of the local security environment was further underscored on March 3 when the United States shuttered its embassies in both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia following direct drone strikes on those diplomatic facilities.