On the border with Russia, Ukrainians go on hunger strike due to prolonged detention in the basement of the Georgian checkpoint
6 August 2025 19:04
The number of Ukrainian citizens on a hunger strike at the Dariani border crossing point between Georgia and Russia has increased to 15. They have been staying in the basement for about a month now – after being deported from Russia, Georgia refuses to let them into its territory.
This was reported by Echo of the Caucasus (a project of Radio Liberty), "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to one of the protesters, Serhiy Lark, they decided to officially go on a hunger strike to draw attention to their situation. People claim that they are being illegally detained: their passports have been taken away, their biometric data has been taken, and they are not allowed to return to Ukraine or apply for international protection.
The demands include access to a Ukrainian consul, an explanation of the reasons for detention, the right to leave or apply for asylum, and a medical examination.
The Georgian Interior Ministry, on the other hand, claims that the Ukrainians have no claims against the Georgian side, and that their main goal is to return home with the mediation of the Red Cross and the Ukrainian embassy.
At the end of July, the Georgian side reported about 80 people who identified themselves as Ukrainians but had problems with their documents or had been convicted of serious crimes. According to Ukrainian intelligence, these people are former prisoners who were taken from the occupied territories by Russia. After serving their sentences, they were issued only certificates that do not allow them to cross the border.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that it is ready to issue documents to those whose identity and citizenship are confirmed. In addition, Kyiv offered Russia to hand over such citizens directly at the Ukrainian-Russian border to avoid similar incidents.
One of these deportees, former political prisoner Andriy Kolomiets, has already managed to obtain documents and leave Georgia for Moldova.
