Many Ukrainians at the beginning of hostilities in the Donbass decided to leave their homeland. For the first time in our history, our country has encountered problems such as mass migration. The government had to expeditiously take measures to accommodate and provide with everything necessary a huge number of refugees. The flow of interested people does not dry up now, after a few years. For new arrivals, it will be useful to know how and where to apply to refugees from Ukraine in Russia.
Problem history
For three years, Russia and Ukraine have been living, but rather coexist, in a new reality. Between the countries there was war, hatred, misunderstanding. The actions of politicians on both sides led to irreparable events, as a result of which hundreds of thousands of people suffered.
Most refugees come from war-affected areas. First of all, those who had relatives in other regions of Ukraine or Russia left. Other people did not have any rear services and were forced to leave nowhere simply because in their own homes they were threatened with death.
A broad propaganda campaign was held throughout Russia, urging ordinary citizens not to remain indifferent to other people's troubles and to help refugees as far as possible. But still the main support came from the state. In each region and city of the country, information and crisis centers were created, where refugees from Ukraine began to apply.
Statistical data
The UN estimates that the number of immigrants from the Donetsk and Lugansk regions is several million people. And most of them are in Russia. The rest went to other regions of Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Belarus. Moreover, in the EU countries they reacted rather coolly to visitors of this kind. Without relatives or the help of friends, there was practically nowhere for refugees from Ukraine to turn to.
Most of the immigrants remained in the European part of Russia. In the Moscow region today there are about 23%, and a considerable number of families went to the North Caucasus district, Stavropol Territory and the Volga region. The Russian government almost immediately launched a campaign to create comfortable conditions in the Eastern regions - in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East. They tried to attract people with good prospects and cash incentives. And yet today, the majority of refugees remain in the Central region.
Government measures
From the very beginning of mass migration, the regional services of the FMS, where all refugees from Ukraine should apply, were given special instructions. Residents of Ukraine who want to have the right to stay in Russia or apply for Russian citizenship could submit all the papers without waiting in line.
Special instructions came directly from the Kremlin and a year or two ago were relevant. But today, the question again arises of simplifying asylum or citizenship for people from the DPR or LPR. Indeed, many still live with temporary certificates.
Registration Issues
All presidential decrees and big words on television turned out to be invalid on the ground. There is also bureaucracy and red tape in the corridors and offices of government agencies. Back in 2015, the State Duma was considering a bill on an accelerated method of obtaining citizenship.
The essence was to encourage those for whom the Russian language is native, and the person himself was born or lived in the USSR. However, the deputies adopted a simplified version of the documents, including a clause on the mandatory presence of a citizen within the borders of the Russian Federation. Which immediately excluded all Ukrainians.
Question about refugee status
In 2017, the situation only worsened. If earlier internally displaced persons from the Donbass could receive a special status and extend the period of stay in Russia, then from July 10 this possibility is excluded. Now refugees are equated with ordinary visitors from Ukraine and can stay in our country for no more than 180 days.
With all the delays and obstacles, getting help is quite possible. You can find out where to apply to refugees from Ukraine in Moscow and other cities on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The first thing to achieve is the assignment of a special status. There are differences in the terms “temporary refuge”, “temporary residence” or “refugee”. The latter allows you to receive a pension, benefits and apply for citizenship in the future.
According to Russian law, special status is granted for 3 years. All this time, the Ukrainian passport of the citizen is kept in the department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where refugees from Ukraine must always apply. Thus, a person cannot go abroad without notifying state bodies. You can declare your desire to obtain status directly at the FSB or the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the border crossing.
Headquarters in Moscow
The algorithm of actions is similar in all regions. The main authority dealing with accommodation of citizens of other countries on the territory of the Russian Federation was formerly called the Federal Migration Service. Now these powers are transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. There are branches in any subject of Russia. True, each region may have its own specifics or methods of adopting documents.
For example, in the capital in almost every district there are points where refugees from Ukraine apply in Moscow, here they can receive legal and even psychological assistance. Among them are:
- Coordination headquarters under the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.
- Refugee assistance headquarters at the charity department of the Russian Orthodox Church.
- Charity Fund of St. Basil the Great.
All these and other organizations are engaged not only in informing refugees, their accommodation or providing with everything necessary. Large, small foundations and private individuals help to cross the border or get to relatives in remote regions of the country.
Headquarters in Crimea
Immediately after the peninsula was accepted into Russia, a flood of refugees from Donetsk and Lugansk poured there. It is worth noting that in 2014, and now too, Crimea was in a transitional state. I had to radically restructure the system of government and the provision of services. Because refugees on the peninsula faced a number of problems.
In all other respects, the procedure for adopting documents is the same as in other regions of the country. Upon arrival, you must contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs or some charitable organization for clarification. There are several funds that refugees from Ukraine apply to in Crimea:
- in Sevastopol, an aid headquarters was created almost immediately; It is located on the street. Gorpishchenko d. 2;
- a central hotline for population assistance is operating;
- another line operates under the Office of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea.
Headquarters in Rostov-on-Don
This region, as one of the events closest to the epicenter, has taken on a large wave of internally displaced persons from Ukraine. Today, there are several headquarters where refugees from Ukraine turn to Rostov-on-Don for accommodation, citizenship or work:
- assistance in terms of providing clothing and other household items is provided by the Humanitarian Warehouse; It is located at the address: Rostov-on-Don, st. Bauman, 20;
- You can also contact the local administration of the district, but it is best to come to the department of the Ministry of Labor and Social Development; It is located at the address: Rostov-on-Don, st. Lermontovskaya, d.161.
Local residents themselves organized spontaneous situational centers and points of reception of things and products.
Headquarters in the Rostov Region
This region is located several tens of kilometers from the borders of Russia with Ukraine. First of all, a huge stream of refugees from the Donbass poured here. Therefore, the most popular question among former Ukrainians is where to apply to refugees from Ukraine in Rostov. The administration of the regional center, as well as certain areas, is open for visits from 8:00 to 18:00. Those who wish can get comprehensive information in the departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where on the stands you can find detailed instructions for behavior.
In one of the largest cities in the region - Taganrog, there are aid reception centers for internally displaced persons. Indifferent citizens can bring clothes, baby food, medicines and other basic necessities. Everything will be redirected to needy people.
Otherwise, there are several points where refugees from Ukraine turn to Taganrog: this is the Camomile recreation center, where several dozen families already live; Young Guard Center, the Committee of the city youth organized a massive fundraising and things to provide thousands of people. Information about their activities can be found in their groups on social networks.
Headquarters in Kemerovo
Kemerovo region is one of the many constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which cordially welcomed migrants from the hot spots of Ukraine. Most refugees were immediately identified in one of the hostels of the city. However, soon ordinary people began to offer assistance in accommodation, many took entire families to temporary residence.
You can find out where to apply to refugees from Ukraine in Kemerovo at the following organizations:
- The Ministry of Internal Affairs is located at Kemerovo, ul. Ostrovsky, d.13;
- The Peaceful Sky international charitable association works throughout Russia; you can contact them through the Red Cross or on social networks;
- also from all regions, you can call the Ministry of Regional Development, where a program for compatriots from Ukraine is operating.
Not all visitors stayed in the city for a long time. For many, Kemerovo turned out to be just a transit point, and the final goal is Siberia and the Far East.
Headquarters in Belarus
The Migrants project, successfully operating in Russia, is actively working in neighboring countries. A single policy of assistance to internally displaced persons has united Moscow and Minsk. All Ukrainians who arrived on the territory of the Republic of Belarus must contact the migration service of the republic within five working days. Being late can delay the status process.
In order to help people in Minsk and other cities, there are several headquarters, where refugees from Ukraine to Belarus apply.
- Department of Citizenship and Migration at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Belarus, located at: Minsk, st. City Wall, d. 2;
- Free consultation by the Belarusian movement: Minsk, st. Olshansky, d. 74;
- Children's Support Center "Eureka", Minsk, st. Chigladze, 39.
In addition, immediately after arriving in a city or rural settlement, a person is obliged to apply to local authorities to register.