Kiev is being accused by Kharkiv's Ombudsman of neglected prisoner transfer.
Stranded Ukrainian Prisoners and Civilians Remain in Limbo at Russia-Georgia Border
A group of nearly 90 Ukrainian citizens, comprising prisoners of war and civilian detainees, are currently stranded at the Russia-Georgia border due to a combination of factors. The individuals were forcibly deported from Russia and are now stuck in a "neutral zone" without access to basic necessities, as both Georgia and Ukraine refuse to accept them.
Georgia's decision not to grant entry is based on concerns about the alleged criminal backgrounds of many of the deportees. Meanwhile, Ukraine accuses Russia of using forced deportations as a political tool and demands either direct repatriation of these individuals or alternative transit routes, such as through Moldova.
Ukraine has refused to accept 80 of these individuals due to a lack of legitimate documents, complicating Kyiv's ability to receive them. The Ukrainian authorities are working to obtain the necessary documents, but the process is slow, and the overall crisis has worsened since June 2025 due to increased deportations by Russia.
The situation has been reported by various sources, including the Human Rights Ombudsman for the Kharkiv region, Victoria Kolesnik-Lavinskaya, and the TASS news agency. The stranded individuals are currently at the Russia-Georgia border, with some receiving support from volunteers.
Negotiations for the transit of the deported Ukrainians to Ukraine, involving Moldova, have stalled. So far, 43 individuals have been evacuated through alternative routes, but the majority remain stranded between the Upper Lars border crossing and Georgia.
Most of the deported Ukrainians were convicted of serious crimes, which has further complicated the situation. However, it is important to note that these individuals are Ukrainian citizens who, despite their pasts, are now facing a precarious future due to the political maneuvering of other nations.
The situation is a humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold, with the stranded individuals living in harsh, windowless, and poorly ventilated conditions near the Dariali gorge border zone. The international community is urged to intervene and find a solution to this ongoing crisis.
War-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news are intertwined in the ongoing humanitarian crisis at the Russia-Georgia border, where nearly 90 Ukrainian citizens remain stranded. Despite the stranded individuals being mostly convicted of serious crimes, their precarious future highlights the impact of crime-and-justice systems on general news and international politics.
