Ukrainians held in basement at Russia-Georgia border amid crisis

In June 2023, over 45 Ukrainians who had been forcibly deported by Russia are being held in dire conditions at a basement facility located at the Verkhniy Lars border checkpoint between Georgia and Russia. These Ukrainians were taken from occupied territories in Ukraine and were denied entry into Georgia due to a lack of appropriate travel documents, even those with passports. Independent media outlet Astra reported that the detainees are surviving without food, water, or any means of basic healthcare, as they wait for passage into Georgia. This situation arose after a decree from Russian President Vladimir Putin required Ukrainians living in occupied territories to abandon their homeland or obtain Russian citizenship to avoid deportation. The deplorable conditions of the basement, described by a deportee, include a lack of utilities such as showers and toilets, dampness with water dripping from the ceiling, and a general atmosphere that makes it hard to breathe. Many detainees are reportedly suffering from serious illnesses, and although volunteers are providing humanitarian aid, it is insufficient and only lasts for a short duration. Since January 2023, the basement facility has been receiving deported Ukrainians who are barred from entering Russia and the occupied Ukrainian territories. The influx of new detainees continues as a result of resumed deportations following a pause in early 2024. These situations have become more frequent amidst ongoing tensions and challenges related to immigration legislation that Georgia is preparing. The Tbilisi Volunteers Organization, which is assisting the detainees, has reported that the facility was designed for only a limited number of detainees, but more individuals continue to arrive without adequate provisions for basic needs. One deported individual, Serhiy Serdiuk, who was notably barred from re-entering Russia and occupied territories for decades, has expressed the intense pressure experienced by Ukrainian citizens to conform to Russian government requirements, particularly regarding the imposition of a Russian education curriculum. Following his deportation to Georgia, he managed to eventually reach Moldova and return to Ukraine. The ongoing situation has brought attention to the humanitarian crisis facing deported Ukrainians and the international community's responsibility to address these violations of human rights in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.