**Ukraine Evacuates 43 Citizens Held Along Russia-Georgia Border**
In a move to rescue its citizens from difficult circumstances, Ukraine has evacuated 43 people who were recently deported from Russia and held along the Russia-Georgia border. The evacuation took place on July 19, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announcing the news.
According to reports, most of those deported – around 56 in total – are convicted individuals who lack proper documentation. Of these, 43 were successfully evacuated by Ukraine through Moldova. Some deportees had been held in a small facility since late June, with little access to basic necessities like food, water, and sanitation.
**”A Desperate Situation”**
The situation is described as desperate, with many of the deportees facing serious health issues, including suspected tuberculosis and HIV. Maria Belkina, head of Volunteers Tbilisi, told AFP that the conditions were dire: “They are stranded without basic necessities – food, water, sanitation… some deportees had medical conditions.”
One notable case is that of Andriy Kolomiyets, a Ukrainian citizen who was recognized as a political prisoner after serving a 10-year sentence in occupied Crimea. His charges of attempting to murder two Russian authorities were widely seen as politically motivated due to his involvement with the pro-Western Euromaidan protests.
**Russia’s Motives Questioned**
The move by Ukraine has sparked questions about Russia’s intentions behind the deportations. Foreign Minister Sybiha wrote on X: “Russia is weaponizing the deportation of Ukrainian citizens through Georgia… We propose that Russia transport them directly to the Ukrainian border instead.”
With reports suggesting up to 800 Ukrainian citizens may be deported in the coming weeks, rights groups are sounding the alarm. The situation highlights the complexities and challenges faced by Ukraine as it navigates its relationship with both Russia and Georgia.
**The Way Forward**
As Ukraine continues to work with Georgian and Moldovan authorities to get more deportees back home, there is still uncertainty about how many more may be deported. Foreign Minister Sybiha emphasized that “there is no guarantee” that Russia won’t increase the number of deportees further.
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