Tense poses, dark jackets, short haircuts. This group of men stands out among those who arrived at the Lars checkpoint, Georgia.
They are former Ukrainian prisoners of one of the colonies in the temporarily occupied Kherson region. How did it happen that, having started serving their sentences in a Ukrainian correctional facility, these people were released in the Krasnodar Territory?
Short story:
In the fall of 2022, more than 2,500 Ukrainians who were in the institutions of the penitentiary system of the temporarily occupied Kherson region of Ukraine were taken by russian special services through Crimea to russia. After the end of the term of serving the sentence, the released Ukrainians are transferred indefinitely to the local TDFC (Temporary Detention Center for Foreign Citizens). There is currently no single mechanism for the deportation of such people.
Border: Unfortunately, several people from the group were unable to cross the russian border due to an expired passport photo. Georgia was ready to refuse entry to a few more - they had only an internal passport of Ukraine. In order to promptly resolve this issue, we have used all possible resources and involved international structures and local human rights organizations. Thus, a group of 19 men refused to go to the Lars checkpoint, where our specialists had been waiting for them for several hours in a row.
What now?
Then began very everyday, but no less important issues: a safe overnight stay, hygiene items, the organization of a "kitchen attendant", food, humanitarian aid and clothing, the organization of medical services;
signing a number of documents, including an agreement for support; requests for passports have been filed. The plans are to return home, Ukraine. We'll talk about this later.
These days require maximum efficiency and involvement in all processes from our team. We asked: what gives you the strength to continue your work?
Stas, UnMode: Strength is given by the position in the world and the difficult situation, and love for one's people, this gives strength.
Eugene, UnMode: In addition to love and compassion, this is also interesting, and the most that feeds strength is their faces)) You should have seen how people react, smile, mood, and surprise that this happens, they are not just not ready for free help , but they look with caution, probably in a word, gratitude is very nourishing.
We continue to support Ukrainians who are in russian prisons and are looking for resources to help each of them return home. It seems impossible, but in spite of everything, we believe in the power of civil society and in the power of goodness. Good always and invariably conquers any evil.
If you know Ukrainian citizens who are in need of russian prisons or their relatives, please pass on our contacts:
e-mail: unmode.contact@gmail.com
Telegram: +380 633 71 34 37
Signal: +995 591 06 02 55
If you are a lawyer, lawyer, journalist, human rights activist, specialist in the field of HIV, TV, prisoners, refugees, migrants and you have ideas, desires and time to help Ukrainian citizens in Russian prisons, please write to us.