Yevgeny, a decorated hero of Russia’s war in Ukraine, chose to take a bullet to the leg rather than continue fighting. Like many other Russian soldiers, he deserted the army, fleeing to find a new chance at life. However, life for these soldiers is not what they had hoped for. They face criminal charges and live in hiding, waiting for asylum rights that are hard to come by. Many policymakers are divided on whether to consider these Russian deserters as potential assets or risks to national security.
Many Russian soldiers have deserted their posts since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with record numbers seeking help from groups such as “Get Lost” in the Republic of Georgia. These soldiers are facing criminal charges in Russia for desertion, and their families are being questioned and their properties searched. Russian soldiers, who are seeking to flee the conflict, are struggling to find refuge in the West and are living in fear of persecution from Russian authorities.
The story of Farhad Ziganshin, who fled to Kazakhstan to escape conscription, highlights the challenges faced by these deserters. Farhad’s job opportunities have been limited in Kazakhstan, and deportations of Russian deserters from countries like Armenia have increased fears of being sent back to Russia. Despite facing rejection of his asylum application in France and struggling to secure an international passport, Farhad continues to live in fear of what tomorrow may bring and the uncertainty of his future.
Sparrow, also a deserter, faced pressure from his former commanders to report for combat duty in Ukraine. Refusing to sign for combat orders, he chose to flee to Kazakhstan with the help of a group providing instructions on how to leave Russia. Despite facing criminal charges in Russia for his desertion, Sparrow is determined to live a life of freedom and avoid being forced to fight a war that he does not believe in.
Similarly, Sportsmaster, another soldier who refused to participate in the conflict in Ukraine, made a dramatic escape from the military base and fled to Kazakhstan. Along with other deserters, he is living in hiding in Astana, finding occasional work to make ends meet. Despite the challenges they all face, these deserters are resolute in their decision to refuse to fight in a conflict they do not support and are waiting for a chance to start anew.
The stories of Yevgeny, Farhad, Sparrow, and Sportsmaster shed light on the struggles faced by Russian deserters seeking asylum and refuge from the conflict in Ukraine. These soldiers made difficult choices to flee their posts, face criminal charges, and live in hiding, all in the hopes of starting a new life. As Western nations grapple with the influx of Russian diaspora seeking asylum, the fate of these soldiers remains uncertain, with policymakers divided on how to handle their cases and the potential risks they may pose to national security.
