IDFI: more Russians, Belarus enter, stray in Georgia than Ukrainians

The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) says that in March 2022, 16,669 citizens of Ukraine, 43,152 citizens of Russia and 19,898 citizens of Belarus crossed into Georgia. 

In its survey released today the NGO said that last month 8,151 citizens of Ukraine, 17,201 citizens of Russia and 14,030 citizens of Belarus stayed in Georgia (difference between those who had entered and left the country). 

“A total of 31,231 Russian and Belarusian citizens stayed in Georgia in March 2022,” said the NGO. 

According to the statistics of the border crossing of Georgia by citizens of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, in March 2022, compared to March 2019, the number of Ukrainians staying  in Georgia was 8,657, while the number of Russian citizens stood at 14,593, and the number of Belarusian citizens was 14,047. 

In March 2022, compared to March 2019, the number of Russian citizens staying in Georgia (difference between those who had entered and left the country) had increased by 559%, when the figure for Belarus citizens was at 555%.

340 citizens of Russia, 65 citizens of Ukraine and only 16 citizens of Belarus were denied entry to Georgia in March of this year.