The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine emphasizes that the deportation of Ukrainian citizens to the Georgian border is part of a deliberate operation by the Russian Federation, which is deepening the humanitarian crisis at the “Dariali” crossing point.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Increase in the number of deportees and worsening situation
The ministry reports that since the second half of June, Russia has significantly intensified the deportation of Ukrainian citizens across the border with Georgia. This has led to a deterioration of the situation in the buffer zone of the “Dariali” crossing point, where 96 Ukrainian citizens are currently located. Since the end of June, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other competent authorities of Ukraine have organized the departure of 44 citizens from this zone; however, Russia has continued to mass deport Ukrainians, which may indicate coordinated actions on the part of Moscow.
“Thanks to the measures taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the competent authorities of Ukraine, from the end of June until now, it has been possible to organize the departure of 44 Ukrainian citizens from the buffer zone of the Russian-Georgian border. At the same time, Russia has continued to send a larger number of deportees, which may indicate a deliberate Russian operation. Currently, 96 Ukrainian citizens are in the buffer zone of the ‘Dariali’ crossing point,” the statement reads.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds that Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has called on Russia to send deported Ukrainian citizens directly to the Ukrainian border; however, the Russian Federation ignores this call. According to diplomats, this indicates a conscious intention by Moscow to create a humanitarian crisis at the border with Georgia.
Humanitarian challenges and international cooperation
Most Ukrainians being deported by Russia to the Georgian border have previously faced criminal charges, including those who served sentences in the occupied territories of Ukraine or were convicted in the Russian Federation. In July, the situation at “Dariali” worsened due to an increase in the number of deportees and a temporary suspension of transit through Moldova.
The Embassy of Ukraine in Georgia is actively cooperating with the Georgian side, representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross, UNHCR, and the International Organization for Migration to address the humanitarian situation in the buffer zone. On August 5, the embassy received a request from five deported Ukrainians regarding the start of an indefinite hunger strike demanding to be allowed to cross the border into Georgia. According to human rights defenders, the number of hunger strikers has increased to 15, and others are joining them.
Ukrainian consuls promptly went to the “Dariali” crossing point to meet with citizens and demand that the Georgian side ensure immediate access to them. The Ukrainian side is also negotiating with Georgian and Moldovan colleagues to ensure the transit of deportees through Moldova and their return to Ukraine as soon as possible.
Four Ukrainians in the buffer zone have appealed to the European Court of Human Rights requesting that Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine take urgent measures to return all Ukrainian citizens currently remaining at the border. In total, more than 100 Ukrainians are at the “Dariali” border crossing.