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Ukraine Evacuates 65 Citizens From Buffer Zone at Russian-Georgian Border
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Ukraine has carried out the return of 65 citizens from the buffer zone on the Russian-Georgian border. Among those brought back were 10 women and 8 seriously ill people, Ukraine`s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported on August 22.
“All of them were stuck at Georgia’s Dariali checkpoint in conditions of a humanitarian crisis created by Russia’s actions. Ukrainian diplomats and consuls made every effort to secure their return and to improve conditions at the border, including through the involvement of international organizations,” Sybiha said.
According to him, between August 21–22, coordinated work made it possible to repatriate another large group of Ukrainians from Georgia to Ukraine via Moldova. Sybiha expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, and the Security Service of Ukraine for their joint efforts in ensuring the success of the operation.
He also conveyed special thanks to the Georgian and Moldovan authorities for facilitating the transit route and resolving logistical challenges.
The minister recalled that in previous months, the MFA, together with other agencies, had already organized the return of 44 citizens. In total, 109 Ukrainians have been brought back from the Dariali crossing point. The Foreign Ministry, in cooperation with Ukraine’s embassies in Georgia and Moldova, as well as the respective governments, continues work on returning the remaining citizens who wish to come back to Ukraine.
Sybiha underlined that the humanitarian crisis at the Russian-Georgian border began in the second half of June, when Russia deliberately started to increase the number of Ukrainians it deported to the checkpoint.
“The Ukrainian side has already publicly appealed to Russia to send our people directly to Ukraine’s border, not Georgia’s. This proposal remains valid. If Russia continues to ignore it, the only conclusion is that the sharp increase in deportations is a planned Russian operation against Ukraine. At the same time, Ukraine never abandons its people in distress and will always prioritize the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of its citizens,” Sybiha stressed.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko also wrote on Telegram that units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs participated in the operation.
“We will establish all the details regarding the detention of our citizens in the buffer zone and Russia’s brutal attempt to use them for provocations and abuse. Each returnee will receive individual support, including legal, medical, and, of course, security measures,” Klymenko emphasized.
Earlier, Ukraine secured the release of 25 people, both military personnel and civilians, from Russian captivity. The group included defenders of Mariupol and the Azovstal plant, along with individuals from Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
