Ukraine has evacuated 43 of its citizens who were being held in grim conditions near the Russian-Georgian border after being deported from Russia, officials said Saturday, accusing Moscow of deliberately using deportations as a tool of pressure.

The evacuees, many of whom lacked identification documents, were transported via Moldova, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga announced. Among them was former political prisoner Andrii Kolomiyets.

“These people were subjected to inhumane treatment, deprived of food, water, and sanitation,” said Maria Belkina, head of the aid group Volunteers Tbilisi, which has been monitoring the situation. She warned that several detainees had medical issues, including suspected tuberculosis and HIV.

Volunteers Tbilisi said at least 56 Ukrainian nationals mostly former prisoners who had completed their sentences in Russia—were being held at a basement facility near the Dariali crossing in Georgia. The center reportedly only has 17 beds and lacks basic services, with some detainees held for weeks.

According to Belkina, the deportations may have been accelerated ahead of new Georgian migration regulations set to take effect in September, which are expected to impose stricter entry requirements.

While Georgia has not officially closed its borders to Ukrainians, there has been a noticeable shift in policy, she said, resulting in delays at the crossing.

Sybiga accused Moscow of “weaponizing the deportation of Ukrainian citizens through Georgia” and urged Russia to return deportees directly to Ukraine, rather than leaving them stranded at a third-country border.

It remains unclear how many people are still being held at the facility, but human rights groups estimate that up to 800 more Ukrainians could be transferred there in the coming weeks.