'Waiting for a miracle': Russians worry as 25,000 stranded abroad by coronavirus

By Dmitriy Turlyun

 

FILE PHOTO: Drivers, who cooperate with Yandex.Taxi online ride-sharing service, wait for specialists to have their cars sanitized and to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at Yandex.Taxi drivers' centre in Moscow, Russia March 26, 2020. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

 

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Vladimir Savelyov, a Russian stuck on an island off Thailand, is among 25,000 Russian nationals stranded far from home because of myriad restrictions on transport imposed over the coronavirus.

 

Savelyov, who lives in China, went on what looked like a routine trip to Thailand to renew his visa, but was trapped after travel to and from an island he visited was abruptly stopped.

 

"Leaving by road is not an option, nor is by boat and now you can't even fly because the flights were cancelled," he said.

 

"Basically, we're sitting here and waiting for a miracle."

 

Russia, which has reported 2,777 coronavirus cases on its soil, last week suspended international flights in and out of the country, with the exception of special flights to repatriate its own citizens.

 

Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday 25,000 people abroad had appealed for help getting home. But some of the stranded tourists complained the response had been limited.

 

"Ten days have already passed (and) we realised that calling the embassy makes no sense," said Maxim Mikhailov, a professional volleyball player, who is stuck in the small Balkans republic of Montenegro.

 

"There is just nothing to do here, we just wait as life passes by. I really want to get back to Russia."

 

Darya Kochelaevskaya, another Russian tourist in Montenegro, said the response from Russia's foreign ministry and its local embassy was always the same: "There is no information. Wait."

 

Others said they were worried about money as they were unable to work while abroad and had also taken a hit from the rouble currency's plunge in value amid coronavirus-related uncertainty and plummeting prices for oil, Russia's main export.

 

"The money isn't endless, money runs out, even despite help from our hosts," said Artem Rodionov, another tourist in Montenegro.

 

"It's depressing basically, and I should have gone (back) to work by now, but this uncertainty...Just like other people, we can't even work out how many days it will last."

 

(Reporting by Dmitry Turlyun; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Tom Balmforth and Mark Heinrich)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-04-02

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Stranded in Thailand. Sorry, but I could think of a lot worse things to happen.

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

"Leaving by road is not an option, nor is by boat and now you can't even fly because the flights were cancelled," he said.

 

"Basically, we're sitting here and waiting for a miracle."

 

Russia, which has reported 2,777 coronavirus cases on its soil, last week suspended international flights in and out of the country, with the exception of special flights to repatriate its own citizens.

 

Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday 25,000 people abroad had appealed for help getting home. But some of the stranded tourists complained the response had been limited.

 

"Ten days have already passed (and) we realised that calling the embassy makes no sense," said Maxim Mikhailov, a professional volleyball player, who is stuck in the small Balkans republic of Montenegro.

 

"There is just nothing to do here, we just wait as life passes by. I really want to get back to Russia."

 

Darya Kochelaevskaya, another Russian tourist in Montenegro, said the response from Russia's foreign ministry and its local embassy was always the same: "There is no information. Wait."

 

Others said they were worried about money as they were unable to work while abroad and had also taken a hit from the rouble currency's plunge in value amid coronavirus-related uncertainty and plummeting prices for oil, Russia's main export.

 

"The money isn't endless, money runs out, even despite help from our hosts," said Artem Rodionov, another tourist in Montenegro.

 

"It's depressing basically, and I should have gone (back) to work by now, but this uncertainty...Just like other people, we can't even work out how many days it will last."

All is nothing more but excuses! The outbreak has been known for month, and people has not been taking it seriously enough. With a little bit of brain function, nobody needed to be stuck. Either they chose to wait to long time before going home or was stupid enough to travel during a virus outbreak.

Just stop the nonsense! They have only their self, and the stupidity that they so well deserved are owners of, to blame.

5 minutes ago, Crazy Alex said:

Stranded in Thailand. Sorry, but I could think of a lot worse things to happen.

Think little bit before posting rubbish. Would you think that depends on if they have the means and possibilities to stay or not? Do you think they will receive social service and benefits here?

As I wrote above, they only have themself to blame, though.

I know of a Russian family with young children who are are being helped out with food and essentials by neighbors in the condo they are living in.

 

I suspect there are a lot of people helping strangers out but it’s not the news folks get to read.

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

I know of a Russian family with young children who are are being helped out with food and essentials by neighbors in the condo they are living in.

 

I suspect there are a lot of people helping strangers out but it’s not the news folks get to read.

 

Yes, I believe at a local level people in most countries are supporting each other and stranded visitors...

What is really annoying, none of the huge companies like Facebook, Amazon, Google etc seem to be coming to the table with assistance !!

Maybe they are and I just haven't read about it, but these people usually like everyone to know if they are doing something good....

9 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I know of a Russian family with young children who are are being helped out with food and essentials by neighbors in the condo they are living in.

 

I suspect there are a lot of people helping strangers out but it’s not the news folks get to read.

Kindness in others adversity, perhaps this will be the eventual outcome from this extreme social dislocation the world is living through.

 

 

54 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I know of a Russian family with young children who are are being helped out with food and essentials by neighbors in the condo they are living in.

 

I suspect there are a lot of people helping strangers out but it’s not the news folks get to read.

In that case it´s very nice of people, and I am sure many people help each other out in times like this. However, that is not the main point. The main point is that they are stranded with young children. Something that could have been avoided with a bit of buffer and good planning as well as seeing the signs and using their brains.

 

Now they made an irresponsible choice that endanger children instead. STUPID!

Probably better to be here than in russia

2 hours ago, Matzzon said:

Think little bit before posting rubbish. Would you think that depends on if they have the means and possibilities to stay or not? Do you think they will receive social service and benefits here?

As I wrote above, they only have themself to blame, though.

I'd rather be homeless on a Thai beach than in some sh*thole like NYC or Los Angeles

3 minutes ago, sukhumvitneon said:

I'd rather be homeless on a Thai beach than in some sh*thole like NYC or Los Angeles

You forgot one essential thing. Homeless without any health and social protection during a virus outbreak. Does it still sound same good?

5 hours ago, cornishcarlos said:

 

Yes, I believe at a local level people in most countries are supporting each other and stranded visitors...

What is really annoying, none of the huge companies like Facebook, Amazon, Google etc seem to be coming to the table with assistance !!

Maybe they are and I just haven't read about it, but these people usually like everyone to know if they are doing something good....

Yes my local shop has been very good,but it's for local people only. There never any shouting or trouble there.

6 hours ago, Crazy Alex said:

Stranded in Thailand. Sorry, but I could think of a lot worse things to happen.

No money, no honey

4 hours ago, Matzzon said:

You forgot one essential thing. Homeless without any health and social protection during a virus outbreak. Does it still sound same good?

Some people always believe that they are invincible and misfortune never comes to them. But I guess they have to learn the hard way.

 

Unfortunately some lessons you only learn once, and then night night.

Russians didn't believe in the virus at first, even when it invaded Europe,  now they pay the prize.  

i've got a room for a couple of Natashas, please send photos

7 hours ago, jimmjam said:

Probably better to be here than in russia

People write that about all nationalities.

 

People who were planning  a holiday and have the chance to get back now should do it and not rely on other folks helping them out. 

 

A great example are the Brits with two kids who sold their house and left the UK. Here we are, help us, please? Or what???

34 minutes ago, balo said:

Russians didn't believe in the virus at first, even when it invaded Europe,  now they pay the prize.  

I bet they never ever give a thought to helping any body else.

This is ridiculous and entirely their fault.  There was plenty of time to leave before, now.  Were they just looking for a 'free' trip home from Russia?  Did they hide out so, the Thai government would HAVE TO let them stay because, there are not flights?  I am stunned but, not surprised any longer when I read these stories.  There is absolutely NO excuse for still being here.  

2 hours ago, malibukid said:

i've got a room for a couple of Natashas, please send photos

 Male or female

I've seen tourists (mostly Russians) here in Phuket as recently as today with no masks, close to others, talking and facing them directly. Seems that these folks are different to all other people here and are immune?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Had tonnes of time, and signs to leave. Didn't, exposing children to harm here (perhaps moreso than being isolated in their own homes?) no sympathy whatsoever (add to this my witnessing whole Russian families out and about without any masks and being well inside the distancing guidelines suggested as being helpful to avoid contamination and transmission) and you can see my lack of compassion for the adults, kids yes, but adults not a single jot of compassion for them.

14 hours ago, Matzzon said:

Think little bit before posting rubbish. Would you think that depends on if they have the means and possibilities to stay or not? Do you think they will receive social service and benefits here?

As I wrote above, they only have themself to blame, though.

Social services? I need none. As far as means, not an issue to me. And others? If they need social services and don't have means, they probably should have paid better attention to their surroundings and the happenings instead of simply staying there until they're stuck. Sorry, I haven't much pity for people like that.  What exactly is it I said that you disagree with?

Not much empathy here for fellow humans in troubles. Sad.

5 hours ago, Thongkorn said:

 Male or female

why, it s a female name only )

8 hours ago, murraynz said:

I bet they never ever give a thought to helping any body else.

Now now, don't forget how Russia helped Crimea and the Ukraine!  Have compassion for the 25,000 young Russians now trapped there!

8 hours ago, Crazy Alex said:

Social services? I need none. As far as means, not an issue to me. And others? If they need social services and don't have means, they probably should have paid better attention to their surroundings and the happenings instead of simply staying there until they're stuck. Sorry, I haven't much pity for people like that.  What exactly is it I said that you disagree with?

What about health benefits? Do you have an insurance that covers this virus infection? Otherwise you would be surprised how many people will have problem with means to cover the economics in that situation. Maybe even you will fall in that group. It also took you about 24 hours to reply, and then you start talking about you and your situation. Before you commented on 25 000 people and was thinking it wasn´t so bad. I suggest you survey them and their situation first.

Have a nice day.

Reading this thread reminded me of an experience I had just before Christmas. I booked a few nights in a place called the Riviera Wongamat in Pattaya. I booked on Agoda thinking it was a hotel, but turned up to find it was a condo! There were signs everywhere warning tourists that daily/weekly rental was illegal - yet everyone I saw was either Chinese or Russian/Eastern European! The place was a real bargain - easily nicer than any hotel I'd ever stayed in with a rooftop infinity pool, nice gym and three outdoor swimming pools. But the overriding experience was just how many Russians were around - even the shops outside sold Russian food and had signs in Russian - it was like living in 'little-Moscow'. I bet that area is cleared out now. 

Meanwhile Russia has reversed plans to immediately organise special evacuation flights for people stuck abroad.

-----------------------------

International flights evacuating Russians from abroad to be suspended from April 4
The Russian government will also elaborate a schedule for evacuating those Russian nationals who are stuck in foreign countries amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"Russian nationals who have provided necessary data will be offered social assistance during their stay in foreign countries," the headquarters said.

https://tass.com/society/1140149

 

On 4/2/2020 at 10:07 AM, sukhumvitneon said:

I'd rather be homeless on a Thai beach than in some sh*thole like NYC or Los Angeles

 

Skidrow in LA sure versus the IDC in BKK.

Option A please!