A Humanitarian Deadlock at the Border
For more than a year, 17 Ukrainian citizens have been confined to a basement at the Dariali border crossing between Russia and Georgia. Having been expelled from Russia for immigration violations, they now face a refusal of entry from Georgian authorities. According to reports from Mediazona, these men remain in a precarious state, living in a basement with inadequate ventilation, no showers, and limited access to medical care, as their legal status remains unresolved.
The situation reached a flashpoint in August 2026, when heavy rains and the threat of mudslides forced an evacuation of the border checkpoint. The men were temporarily moved to a monastery before being returned to the basement once the danger passed. Georgian lawyers, including Daria Samodurova, highlight that the group’s attempts to secure international protection were rejected by migration authorities and the courts, with the Georgian State Security Service citing vaguely defined “national security” threats.
The Fear of Repatriation
While Ukrainian diplomats have indicated a willingness to facilitate the return of these citizens, the men refuse to leave. They cite fears of immediate conscription upon their return to Ukraine. Anecdotal evidence from those who previously accepted return offers suggests that returnees were often sent directly to military medical commissions and subsequently to training camps, regardless of their health status or personal circumstances. This perceived lack of a transition period has solidified the resolve of the remaining 17 men to stay in the basement, despite the inhumane conditions.
The humanitarian situation is compounded by a lack of resources. Volunteer-led initiatives that previously provided food and basic necessities are struggling to maintain operations. The introduction of the “foreign agents” law in Georgia and a general decline in donor interest have further isolated these individuals, leaving them with no clear path forward.
Shrinking Support Networks in Europe
The challenges facing these men at the border mirror broader difficulties for Ukrainian refugees across Europe. In Poland, for instance, organizations like Martynka, which supports women fleeing gender-based violence, are battling for survival. As the conflict enters its fifth year, donors are experiencing “war fatigue,” and political rhetoric in several European countries has increasingly turned against long-term refugee support.
For individuals like Nastya Podorozhnya, who founded the Krakow shelter, the decline in funding is not just a logistical hurdle but a threat to the safety of vulnerable refugees. The intersection of rising anti-refugee sentiment and the lack of comprehensive integration strategies means that refugees are increasingly left to navigate complex legal and social systems without a safety net.
Legal and Diplomatic Uncertainty
With domestic legal remedies in Georgia exhausted, lawyers are now exploring international avenues to challenge the potential deportation of the 17 men. The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs maintains that it is negotiating for an “organized, safe, and voluntary return,” but human rights advocates warn that these individuals could be deported at any moment. The classification of the security concerns against them makes it nearly impossible for their legal counsel to mount an effective defense, leaving the men in a state of indefinite detention.