Bolsonaro welcomes repatriates from war in Ukraine
After weeks marked by uncertainties, privation, and risks, the group of Brazilians, Ukrainians, Argentinians, and a Colombian brought from Poland in aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) arrived safely in Brasilia.
In addition to the 43 Brazilians repatriated, the group encompasses 19 Ukrainians, five Argentinians, and one Colombian. Among them are 14 children, eight dogs, and two cats. After managing to cross the Ukrainian–Polish border, they convened in Warsaw and were subsequently rescued by two FAB aircraft—a KC-390 Millennium and an Embraer Legacy jet.
Most traveled on board the KC-390, which landed at the Brasília Air Base at around 12:30 pm. Aboard the Legacy were a pregnant woman and two families with small children, as well as Brazil’s Foreign Minister Carlos França, who was in Poland spearheading the final stages of Operação Repatriação (Operation Repatriation).
After disembarking, the group was welcomed by President Jair Bolsonaro and First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro. State ministers, congresspeople, and military officers also attended the reception ceremony.
Brasília was the final destination of a nearly 12-hour trip that started in the Polish capital, made quick stops in Lisbon (Portugal), Sal (Cape Verde), and Recife (Pernambuco state, in Northeastern Brazil), where the aircraft landed at approximately 6:30 am and stayed there for some three hours.
From Brasília, the group should proceed to their final destinations with tickets provided by airline companies. Before entering the country, however, they are expected to go through the required administrative and sanitary procedures.
