PALANCA, MOLDOVA (Dagbladet): In recent weeks, a number of Ukrainian refugees have either been defrauded or tried to defraud in the border town of Palanca in southeastern Moldova, one hour west of the Ukrainian city of Odesa.
Here, Ukrainians fleeing Vladimir Putin’s relentless invasion have been met by war profiteers.
Dagbladet is informed that several Ukrainian families have been tricked into believing that the only way to get from the border town of Palanca and to Moldova’s capital Chisinau was private transport. Several are said to have paid over 150 euros – almost 1500 kroner – for the barely two and a half hour long drive.
Only a few hundred meters away from the border crossing, however, a temporary bus station has been set up. From this station, the refugees are transported – free of charge – to the refugee reception center in Chisinau or to neighboring Romania.
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– Do not trust them
Now the situation is completely different. The Ukrainian refugees crossing the border from Ukraine into Moldova cannot avoid being met by Moldovan police and volunteers.
Shortly after crossing the border, the refugees are placed in minibuses, which run in shuttle traffic between the border crossing and the temporary bus station.
At regular intervals, the police go to the Ukrainian refugees waiting for the minibuses and warn them against civilians who see their average as profiting from the misery of others.
Dagbladet witnesses such an exchange:
– Do not trust them. Ask to see their documentation if they claim to belong to a voluntary organization, police say to a woman.
20220316 PALANCA MOLDOVIA Refugees cross the border from Ukraine into Moldova. Names will come later. Photo: Hans Arne Vedlog / Dagbladet
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Europe’s poorest
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, more than 330,000 Ukrainians have fled to Moldova. About 100,000 have remained. The rest has either been sent to Romania or other European countries.
Moldova is one of Europe’s poorest countries, and is dependent on outside support to make the refugee cabal go up.
Many of the Ukrainian refugees will also not stay in Moldova.
– We are very grateful for all the help we have received, says the mother of small children Anna to Dagbladet.
Together with her husband, son Artjom (4) and the family dog, she fled Odesa the same day the war broke out. They drove as far towards Palanca as they could, but had to walk the last eight kilometers.
Since then, the family has lived with hospitable private individuals in the border town. When Dagbladet meets them at the temporary bus station, the goal is to get on to Romania in the first place.
FLIGHT: Anna, her son Artjom (4) and the family dog have fled from Odesa. Photo: Hans Arne Vedlog
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– We do not have any concrete plans yet. We will see what happens, she says.
Fled from the Russians
Dagbladet also meets a number of people from Mykolajiv, a town east of Odesa, which Russian forces have tried to capture in recent weeks. Outside the city, fierce fighting is taking place.
– First we fled to the suburbs outside the city, because we thought it would be safer there. Then the Russians attacked. We lived there without water and electricity for seven days before we went back to the city, Nina tells Dagbladet.
She arrived in Palanca on Wednesday with her son Timofej and a number of other family members.
Behind a crucifix along the road, they seek shelter from the wind. And it is shelter, not a new home, they want from Moldova.
– My husband and my parents are still in Mykolajiv, and I want to return to them as soon as possible, says Nina.
20220316 PALANCA MOLDOVIA Refugees cross the border from Ukraine into Moldova. Names will come later. Photo: Hans Arne Vedlog / Dagbladet
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– Shoots civilians
Viktorija and her two dogs also fled Mykolajiv on Wednesday.
– The Russians are setting fire to civilians outside the city. The last two nights have been sleepless. You do not know if you will wake up tomorrow or not, she tells Dagbladet.
Her husband and parents are back in town. The man is not allowed to leave Ukraine, his parents refuse. She will first go to Chisinau, then on to the Czech Republic.
– I have friends who can help me there, she says.
– CIVIL SHOOTER: Viktorija fled from Mykolaiv in Ukraine. Outside the city, Russian forces are firing on civilians, she said. Photo: Hans Arne Vedlog / Dagbladet
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Expensive travel
To the Czech Republic, Viktorija must basically get on his own. At the temporary bus station in Palanca, the free buses to Romania and the capital of Moldova regularly arrive. The same goes for the shuttles from the border crossing itself.
But there are also other buses on site.
Those with 150 euros in their pocket can buy a ticket to France, Germany, Poland or the Czech Republic. That is about one third or one quarter of a monthly salary in Ukraine.
Should none of the parts tempt, the private providers of transport still promise to take the refugees wherever you want.
For a hefty sum.
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