An elderly woman who has been stranded at Istanbul Airport for weeks is waiting for help.

70-year-old Lyubov Moiseevna Bikmukhametova, who said she went to deliver the documents of the house she acquired, wants to return to Russia from Ukraine but has been denied entry into the country and has been staying at Istanbul Airport since October 9.

Bikmukhametova, who is stranded in Istanbul, was born in 1954 in the city of Ryazan, which is now within the borders of Russia, during the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) period. She married a Muslim Tatar officer serving in the Soviet army and lived in many cities in Russia due to her husband's duty.

During the dissolution of the USSR, Bikmukhametova's husband's last duty station was the city of Poltava, which is now within the borders of Ukraine. With the independence of the republics, Bikmukhametova and her family had to become Ukrainian citizens. Her husband resigned from the Ukrainian army, settled in Russia, and later brought Bikmukhametova and their children to join him.

RUSSIANS DID NOT ALLOW ENTRY TO THE COUNTRY

During this process, Bikmukhametova, who did not apply for Russian citizenship and only holds a Ukrainian passport, did not return to Ukraine until 2021. In a letter she wrote to Russian authorities, Bikmukhametova stated that she left Russia to go to Ukraine via Istanbul to deliver the documents of the house she acquired in Ukraine. After completing her business there, Bikmukhametova wanted to return to Russia via Istanbul. However, Russian authorities denied her entry into the country because she is a Ukrainian citizen and does not have a visa.

HAS BEEN STAYING AT ISTANBUL AIRPORT SINCE OCTOBER 9

Bikmukhametova, who was deported and sent back to Turkey, has been staying at Istanbul Airport since October 9. With the help of Istanbul Airport staff, Bikmukhametova, who is staying in the departure passenger area, does not part with her suitcase, bag, and other belongings.

"MY HUSBAND DID NOT WANT TO TAKE AN OATH FOR THE UKRAINIAN ARMY"

Lyubov Moiseevna Bikmukhametova stated that she has been at Istanbul Airport for more than a month. Indicating that she lives in Russia, Bikmukhametova said, "I was born there, I was educated there. I completed my mechanical technician training at the institute. Then I got married. We went to the Far East, where my husband was stationed. My husband was a military pilot in strategic bombing aviation. We served in 3 garrisons for 13 years. After 13 years, we were sent to Ukraine for duty. Then the Soviet Union began to dissolve. The countries in the Soviet Union gained independence. Citizenship was granted to those living in Ukraine. Thus, we became Ukrainian citizens. My husband did not want to take an oath for the Ukrainian army because he had sworn allegiance to the Soviets. Therefore, he left Ukraine and went to Russia." she said.

Bikmukhametova expressed that her husband, who is over 70 years old, is currently in Russia, stating that he has had two strokes and suffers from many different health problems.

"I SLEEP HERE AT NIGHT"

Bikmukhametova, who did not want to answer the question of why she went to Ukraine and stated that she was not allowed into Russia because she holds a Ukrainian passport, continued: "I have been staying at Istanbul Airport for more than a month. The staff here took me to a hotel for 3 days. I went to the hotel to take a shower and rest. I do not go anywhere here. I always stay in the same place. Therefore, my feet are swelling. I sleep here at night. The airport staff are helping me. I thank them for their assistance."

SHE REQUESTED HELP FROM AUTHORITIES

Emphasizing that she wants to return to her country, Bikmukhametova said, "I want to go to Russia, to my family in the city of Ryazan. My husband is staying in a boarding house there. I was supposed to pick him up from there on October 9. I request that you (authorities) allow me to enter Russia and return to my husband." Bikmukhametova also added that if she is allowed to enter the country, she will apply for Russian citizenship.