65 Ukrainians stranded at Dariali border crossing return to Ukraine

The Georgian Interior Ministry on Friday announced that 65 Ukrainian citizens who had been stranded at the Dariali border crossing voluntarily returned to their homeland via a charter flight through a third country following extensive negotiations between the Ministry and Ukrainian authorities.

The Ministry facilitated the transfer of the Ukrainian nationals from the Dariali crossing point to Tbilisi International Airport, where they were handed over to representatives of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies. Ukrainian officials then oversaw their boarding and accompanied them on the charter flight back to Ukraine.

According to the Ministry, a number of individuals still remain at Georgia’s state border, and discussions with the Ukrainian side and international organizations are ongoing to ensure their safe, voluntary, and organized return. Georgian authorities expressed hope that the process would not be further delayed and that those remaining at the border would soon be able to return home.

The Ministry reaffirmed its readiness to carry out all measures within its mandate to support Ukraine in repatriating its citizens stranded near Georgia’s border.

As previously reported, 87 individuals arriving from the Russian Federation had gathered in the so-called neutral zone at the Dariali crossing, claiming to be Ukrainian nationals while attempting to cross with invalid documents. Georgian authorities denied them entry due to state security concerns, citing their extensive criminal backgrounds and previous convictions for serious or particularly serious crimes, in addition to their lack of valid travel documents.

Over recent months, the Georgian side has held multiple working meetings with the Embassy of Ukraine in Tbilisi and representatives of international organizations. Communication was also conducted through Georgia’s police attaché network, involving coordination between the police attaché in Ukraine and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant state agencies, continues to take necessary measures to safeguard Georgia’s national security while also working to facilitate the swift and voluntary return of the remaining individuals in the neutral zone to their homeland.