More than 90 Ukrainian deportees from Russia are being held in a damp basement at the Dariala Gorge border checkpoint. They are unable to cross into Ukraine due to the ongoing war and Georgia's refusal to allow entry due to many having criminal records. Some have been held for nearly two months, with limited access to the outside, food, and medical care. A protest on July 20th included a self-harm incident by one detainee, highlighting the dire conditions. The situation is part of a larger crisis; approximately 800 Ukrainian deportees are believed to be stranded at Russian or Russian-Georgian border points.

Nikolai Lopata, a 45-year-old detainee, described the conditions, including a lack of beds and inadequate medical attention for those with illnesses such as epilepsy, HIV, and tuberculosis. Volunteers provide some aid, but conditions remain dire, with reports of attempted suicides. Georgia has cited the criminal backgrounds of many deportees as justification for its refusal to allow entry, while Moldova has suspended cooperation after some deportees failed to proceed to Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on Russia to send the deportees directly to the Ukrainian border.

Impact Statement: The situation highlights a humanitarian crisis arising from the war in Ukraine, exposing the legal and ethical challenges faced by deportees and the limitations of international cooperation in addressing such issues. The potential for mass deportations following a Russian edict could significantly worsen the crisis.