Since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Bali, a popular holiday island in Indonesia, has become a magnet for thousands of Russians and Ukrainians seeking to escape the horrors of war, CNN reports. But a year later, the authorities in the tropical paradise have run out of patience because of the behavior of those fleeing a war they consider unacceptable.

Some 58,000 Russians visited the idyllic Southeast Asian island in 2022 after the Covid-19 reopening, with another 22,500 arriving in January 2023 alone, according to Indonesian government figures, making them the second-largest group of visitors after Australians.

Added to them are more than 7,000 Ukrainians who arrived in 2022, and approximately 2,500 in the first month of this year.

But for those fleeing violence, there is trouble in paradise. Authorities in Bali this week urged Indonesia to scrap its visa-on-arrival policy for citizens of Russia and Ukraine, citing a series of alleged incidents of misconduct and various examples of visitors overstaying their visas and working illegally as guides, hairdressers or taxi drivers.

Many Ukrainians on the island were horrified by the decision, saying that most of the incidents involve Russians and that they are unfairly considered the same.

“When we get a report of a foreigner behaving badly, it’s almost always a Russian,” a local police officer in the city of Kuta told CNN.

“He acts as if he is above the law”

“Foreigners come to Bali but behave as if they are above the law. This has always been the case, and it must finally stop,” he said.

In Bali, foreigners of various nationalities often misbehave, are caught drunk, undress in public places or disrespect holy places.

But the authorities in Bali seem ready to make an example of the Russians and Ukrainians amid growing public debate about the perception of their behavior.

“Why these two countries? Because they’re fighting, that’s why they’re gathering here,” Bali Governor Wayan Koster said at a news conference this week.

Ukrainians “don’t want to break the rules”

The influx of Russians and Ukrainians to Bali occurs despite the fact that Ukraine has banned all men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country.

Russia does not have an official total ban, but has mobilized 300,000 reservists to join the fight, prompting many young people to flee abroad rather than be drafted.

CNN contacted the Russian embassy in Indonesia and the Ukrainian consulate in Bali. Employees of the Russian embassy did not immediately react; The Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Bali reported that Ukrainians in the country are mostly women for reasons of family reunification, not tourism, and that they “don’t want to break the rules and regulations.”

Although Bali was a favorite of Russian tourists even before the war, its attractions became even more attractive after Putin’s invasion and subsequent mobilization.

The island of Phuket is a new home for Russians

And this is far from the only shelter in Southeast Asia. The southern Thai island of Phuket, often hailed as one of the best beach destinations in the world, has seen a sudden influx of Russians, many of whom have invested in property to secure a long-term stay.

“Life in Russia is completely different now,” a former St. Petersburg investment banker who bought an apartment near Phuket’s old town told CNN.

He refused to reveal his identity, fearing reprisals from the Russian authorities.

“Nobody wants to live in the middle of a war,” he said. “Thinking about the possibility of going back to Russia and being punished is stressful … (so) it makes sense to invest in a place that costs less than Moscow and is safer.”

Visa to Bali

Part of the attraction in Bali was due to Indonesia’s policy of allowing citizens of more than 80 countries – including, at least for now, Russia and Ukraine – to apply for visas on arrival. The visa is valid for 30 days, but can be extended once up to a total of 60 days.

This may be enough for those planning a long vacation, but those who want to stay longer are not allowed to work.

Indonesian authorities said several Russian tourists had been deported in recent months for overstaying, including a 28-year-old man from Moscow who was arrested and deported after it turned out he was working as a photographer.

Others, who had arrived in the hope of finding work, returned home, risking the wrath of Moscow if they were suspected of fleeing.

Among the Russian tourists who traveled to Bali was Sergey Ovseikin, a street artist who created an anti-war mural in the middle of a rice field – a “mural” that reflects his stance on the draft and the war.

Difficult situation in Russia

“Like many others forced to leave our homeland, I came to Bali as a tourist,” Ovseikin said.

“Russia remains in a difficult political situation. I am against wars wherever they take place,” he said.

“Many people who disagreed with the war – Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians and others – flew to Bali,” he added. “We all get along well with each other…and understand that no ordinary people started this war.”

“Beautiful… without Russian soldiers”

News of the possible change in visa rules has rattled some Ukrainians on the island, many of whom fled their homeland when the war broke out and have lived on savings ever since, leaving and re-entering every 60 days to avoid breaking the rules. .

“Bali is a good place,” said a Ukrainian named Dmytro. “It’s beautiful, great weather and a safe place for Ukrainians – there may be large groups of Russians, but no Russian military.”

The Ukrainians on the island were a tight-knit community that mostly stayed away from the Russians and were surprised by the possible move, he added.

“Ukrainians respect the law and culture of Bali. We do a lot for our local communities and do not pose a risk to the people of Bali,” Dmytro said.

“It is very sad that Ukrainians are put in the same category as Russians. Russians are the second largest tourist group in Bali and if you read the news, you will see how often Russians break local laws and disrespect Balinese culture and traditions,” he added.

“Why should Ukrainians suffer when we are not the ones creating problems in Bali?”

“Ukrainians don’t go on vacation to Bali”

The Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Bali informed CNN that as of February 2023, there were approximately 8,500 Ukrainian citizens on the island who have various temporary and permanent visas.

“Currently, Ukrainians do not go to Bali on vacation, because our country is under occupation. Ukrainians who are now coming to Bali seek family reunification, and they are mostly women,” said spokesman Nioman Astama.

“We once again confirm that Ukrainians in Bali do not want to violate the rules and regulations,” Astama added. “It is imperative that we uphold the law and the consequences of any breach of the law, as the people of Bali have now expressed.”

However, at least for the time being, anyone from any country still hoping to get a visa on arrival can take solace in the fact that the central government has not yet decided whether to accept the Bali authorities’ request.

“We will discuss this issue in detail with other stakeholders,” Indonesia’s Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno said on Monday. (news.ro) (Photo source Dreamstime)