Ukrainian citizens held at the temporary detention center in the village of Voronino say the conditions resemble prison and, in their view, are even harsher than ordinary incarceration. Some people, the report says, have been kept there for more than a year, although such facilities are meant only for short-term stays.
According to the detainees, the cells are overcrowded, stuffy, and dirty. In rooms measuring three by five meters, there are two bunk beds and a small table by the entrance. To get an internet signal, people have to climb onto the top bunk and stand right next to a window located near the ceiling.
The detainees also say that the center’s management sometimes places men and women in the same cell. Their movement is restricted as well: they are allowed only one morning walk lasting 40 minutes. They also complain about a lack of hygiene supplies.
According to Astra, one of the men was unable to endure the conditions and hanged himself.
The administrations of such detention centers say Ukrainians cannot be released because there is no diplomatic engagement from Ukraine. That assessment was echoed in comments to Vetor by migration lawyer Valentina, whose name was changed by the editors.
“It takes so long with Ukraine because there are no diplomatic relations. You cannot just dump Ukrainians, for example, in Turkey; what would happen to them there?” the lawyer said.
According to her, Russia cannot deport Ukrainian citizens precisely because diplomatic relations between the two countries have been severed, which means there is effectively no working mechanism for their transfer or removal.