Five Ukrainian citizens stranded at the Russia-Georgia border have announced an indefinite hunger strike “due to the actions of Georgian border guards,” according to Sergei Larko, one of the hunger strikers, in an interview with “Echo of the Caucasus.”

Larko, who has been at the “Darial” border checkpoint for about a month, stated that the participants of the protest intend to formally notify the Georgian border guards about the start of their hunger strike.

He provided the publication with a copy of his statement, which outlines the reasons for the hunger strike and the demands of the strikers.

“I, Sergei Alexisovich Larko, declare an indefinite hunger strike due to the illegal actions of Georgian border guards and the violation of my rights…

I have been placed in inhumane conditions at the ‘Darial’ border checkpoint along with 97 other people, including those infected with HIV and tuberculosis. I was denied entry into Georgia, the opportunity to apply for asylum, access to legal assistance, and the ability to appeal my detention,” Larko wrote.

According to him, he was deported from Russia on June 21, 2025, and upon arriving in Georgia, his passport was confiscated, and his biometric information was collected without legal grounds.

The hunger strikers demand: access to a Ukrainian consul, an explanation of the reasons for their detention, the opportunity to leave Georgia’s territory or to apply for international protection, medical examinations, and an end to their unlawful detention. They state that the hunger strike will continue until all their demands are met.

For reference, the Kremlin is allowing prisoners, initially convicted on Ukrainian territory that later came under Russian occupation, to be sent toward the Russia-Georgia border. In most cases, these individuals were serving sentences in Russian penitentiary institutions, where they were forcibly transferred by the Russians.