Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Lyudmyla Denisova called on Ukrainians who were forcibly deported to Russia from the temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine to use the checkpoint in Narva, Estonia, to travel to Europe.
According to her, almost every day the Russian media with reference to the information of officials reports on the deportation of Ukrainian citizens. As of April 16, according to them, 808,000 people had been displaced, 153,000 of them are children.
"Last week the volunteers from Russia who found three camps for deported Ukrainians in the Penza region contacted me. They visited one of these camps, which at the time kept more than 400 people, mostly women and 147 children of all ages, including infants. Our citizens were in a very difficult and depressive state, they did not have clothes, products, hygiene items, because they were taken from Mariupol just from the bomb shelter", - said the Ukrainian ombudsman.
Russia is involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children at the state level, - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Denisova noted that as a result of joint work with Russian volunteers, the consulate in Estonian and the Estonian side, on April 16 the first 7 Ukrainians from the camp in Penza region, including a family with three children, were taken to Narva, Estonia, where they are provided with the necessary help.
According to the Commissioner for Human Rights, the next group of Ukrainians forcibly deported to Russia is currently being prepared for transportation.
"I appeal to Ukrainian citizens who are currently in Russia and do not know how to get to Ukraine or European countries - you can use the checkpoint across the Russian border to Narva city, where you will be assisted by the Consular Service of Ukraine and local communities", - Denisova clarified.
She added that all the information and useful telephone numbers needed to cross the border and stay in Estonia can be found at https://www.estonia-for-ukraine.com/.
"You can also get additional information by the hotline of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Commissioner for Human Rights, which works free of charge and around the clock: 0 800 50 17 20. Contact us, we will definitely help! Ukraine does not leave its people!", - the ombudsman concluded.