An international flight ban ordered by the Russian government amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic took effect on March 27, leaving hundreds of migrant workers stranded. The only exception is for charter flights to repatriate Russian citizens from abroad.
Stranded In Russia's Airport Shutdown
- By RFE/RL
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Kyrgyz migrants wait at Tolmachevo Airport in Novosibirsk on March 31. About 200 people have been living at the airport since March 27, when both Kyrgyzstan and Russia canceled international flights in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
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Kyrgyz migrants wait at Tolmachevo Airport in Novosibirsk on March 31.
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Kyrgyz migrant waits at Tolmachevo Airport in Novosibirsk on March 31.
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Kyrgyz migrants at Tolmachevo Airport in Novosibirsk say they lost their jobs and their apartments. They are living in limbo and are desperate for help from the Kyrgyz government.
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A Kyrgyz migrant worker checks his phone at Tolmachevo Airport in Novosibirsk. This is one of several photos taken at the airport by Oken Sherikbaev, a Kyrgyz citizen who is waiting to get home.
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Workers from Kyrgyzstan wear face masks on March 30 as they wait to find out how the can leave Tolmachevo International Airport in Novosibirsk. They do not appear to be practicing physical distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
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Stranded Kyrgyz migrant workers share bread at Tolmachevo International Airport in Novosibirsk after boxes of food arrive.
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Tajik citizens were unable to fly home from Mosow's Domodedovo Airport. After 10 days of waiting inside the terminal, they were removed and thrown onto the streets by Russian security forces on March 31.
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Uzbek migrant workers sprawl out on the floor at Vnukovo International Airport outside Moscow.
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Uzbek people eat a meal on the floor of Vnukovo International Airport on March 28.
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Passenger planes stand idle at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport on the first day of the international flight ban ordered by the Russian government.
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Deserted check-in desks in the empty departures hall at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport on March 27
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Stranded travelers sleep on sheets at Vnukovo International Airport near Moscow on March 27, the first day the international flight ban ordered by the Russian government
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Stranded travelers stock up on bread and water at Vnukovo International Airport.
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A traveler with gloves and an Uzbek passport waits at Vnukovo International Airport on March 25.
