Russians stuck in New York continue to wait: the Foreign Ministry is inactive, and people are running out of money

Many Russians stuck in New York still cannot return to their homeland. They are running out of money, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation does not fulfill these promises to return people home. The publication shared the details Deutsche Welle.

April 4, Russian authorities completely suspended international flights, including all flights that were stopped for the return of Russians and foreigners. Among them was the New York-Moscow plane, which, according to diplomats, was supposed to remove at least 250 Russians from the United States.

Most travelers who are in trouble are tourists who are temporarily in the United States. Many of them do not have the means to stay in the country, and some are already running out of visas.

The victims were told personally about the situation these people are in today.

Half empty flights

28-year-old Olga Tarasova from Samara arrived in New York on March 17 with her husband. They bought return tickets for April 3 from Aeroflot.

Spouses are suitable for all the conditions described by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to fly home first. However, their flight was postponed until April 7, and all this time they had to wait at the hotel.

On the appointed day, they were sent a reservation with the indicated places. The couple arrived at the JFK airport, approached the check-in counter, where they learned that they were not on the lists. “The crowd next to us is the same problem. Many of them have already checked in their luggage, passed inspections, and then they were turned back, ”Olga said.

According to her, there were rumors that Muscovites would be taken out first, and then residents of the regions. “At the same time, everyone who was denied a flight was photographed and then published an article that, they say, Russian citizens are preparing to fly home,” says Olga. According to her, "the news reported that 61 people flew out of the country." In fact, she saw only 16 passengers on board.

Today, the spouses have practically run out of money. Therefore, they turned to volunteers for help. The Russian Youth in America society and the church help them with the hotel. They have not yet received the material assistance promised by the Russian Foreign Ministry. “Now we have a plan - to wait for news. Unfortunately, we are now powerless to do anything. There will be no volunteers - we will live on the street. The Russian Federation decided to simply forget about us for our own money, ”Olga believes.

“You are not on the lists”

The information that people were first registered for flights, and then denied boarding the flight at the airport, is confirmed by several more people. It is known that some had to first get to the airport in New York from other cities, and then look for housing on the spot.

So, 42-year-old Valeria (name changed) is registered with children in Moscow. Her sister from the self-proclaimed “LNR” flew by the Ukrainian passport. All of them appeared on the territory of America until January 1.

On the subject: 'Nerves can not stand': the ordeal of Russians at the airport in New York continues

Just like the spouses from Samara, they were first checked in for the flight. But the airport said they were not on the lists. “While we were getting there, a new order came that those who had entered the United States before January 1 would not be put on board. Nobody informed us about this, and we again stayed at the airport with the children in two hours. I have not seen such an ugly attitude towards citizens, bureaucracy and complete failure with the organization, ”Valeria said.

Valeria has already filed an application for financial assistance, but she does not particularly hope to receive it.

Now she and her family have a place to live. “In this regard, we are not in such a dire situation as some other citizens,” she said, adding: “I think it has been decided to let Russia into Russia only when it is urgently needed. Less people - less infection will come. "

Not everyone can return to Russia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation explained the scheme for the return of Russian tourists.

So, citizens who have moved abroad after January 1, 2020, who have return tickets for the period from March 16 to May 31, may be the first to apply for flights upon returning home.

If citizens have an unused ticket from a Russian airline, the pick-up will be free. Foreign ticket holders will have to pay 200 euros for flights from Europe and 400 euros for flights from distant countries.

After that, they will consider the applications of those who have a residence permit or a second citizenship. Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, noted that the “board formation algorithm is complex,” comparing it with the “integral.”

The export schedule is formed taking into account quotas and opportunities of a city. For example, Moscow today can take 500 people daily; regional airports - 200, explained Zakharova. It also takes into account whether citizens have a place to live in the region where the flight departs.

As ForumDaily New York wrote earlier:

• Cancellations of flights from New York to Russia began on March 31, then it was said that all flights scheduled before April 2 were canceled. Passengers of these flights were canceled several hours before departure, so many of them were stuck at the airport, as they arrived in the city from other states, planning to leave for their homeland.
• ForumDaily New York talked to the victims. Many of them do not have money to stay in the United States, some expire on an American visa. You can read their story about the situation. here.
• The Russian Consulate in New York informed Russian citizens that diplomatic mission no funds to help to them, and suggested independently find housing in the United States. At the same time, diplomats promised that the costs could be partially compensated if people who lost the opportunity to fly from New York to Moscow can fill out the appropriate forms on the government services portal. The Russian government approved procedure for providing assistance to Russianswho are abroad and are not able to return to their homeland.
• On April 8, an Aeroflot flight with Russians on board flew from New York Kennedy Airport. However from the airport only a part of the people were taken, many were forced to stay in a foreign country.