Georgia’s Interior Ministry said 17 people remain stranded in the Russia-Georgia border zone, a day after reports raised alarm that Ukrainians stuck there allegedly facing dire conditions.
According to the ministry’s June 11 statement, the 17 individuals stranded in the Dariali so-called “neutral zone” on the Russia-Georgia border – “none of whom are women or children” – say they are Ukrainian citizens, but do not possess the “valid documents” required to enter Georgia. The ministry also cited “state security interests” in denying them entry, saying thay they have a “criminal past” and had been convicted of “serious or particularly serious” crimes.
The statement came a day after lawyer Daria Samodurova reported on social media that 19 Ukrainians have remained for one year “locked” at the border crossing, “in a basement,” raising alarm over the conditions they were allegedly facing, including a lack of hygiene facilities, food and medication.
The remaining at least 17 stranded individuals appear to be part of a group of 80 to 90 Ukrainians deported by Russia, who were reported stuck for several months at the Russia-Georgia border in 2025 in dire conditions, as Tbilisi denied them entry, citing their “criminal pasts,” while Kyiv sought a solution and accused Moscow of “weaponizing deportations.” In August, 65 of them were returned to Ukraine.
“The Georgian side is continuing intensive negotiations with Ukrainian side and international organizations on the organized, safe and voluntary return to their homeland of the 17 individuals currently in the so-called ‘neutral zone’ in Dariali,” the ministry said.
Responding to what it described as “unfounded accusations” over the dire living conditions, the Interior Ministry said it is providing for the “basic needs” of the stranded individuals in coordination with the relevant country’s embassy and representatives of international organizations. However, media reports, including online interviews with people allegedly stuck at the border, suggested that they lack food, medication, and proper living conditions.
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