Russian officer Farkhad Ziganshin was prepared for a life of military service, but became a deserter and fled to Kazakhstan after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Facing the choice of fighting in a war of aggression or going to prison for refusing to fight, hundreds of deserters and draft dodgers have fled to neighboring countries. Ziganshin fears being deported to Russia and is trying to acquire a visa to travel to France, but many Russian servicemen lack the passport needed to reach Western countries.
Anti-war activists advocate for more assistance from European and US policymakers for men like Ziganshin, who are hunted at home and viewed with suspicion in the West. Ziganshin openly speaks out against Putin and the war in Ukraine, participating in initiatives to encourage Russians to flee the battlefield. Many Russian deserters face challenges in finding safe refuge, as countries like Kazakhstan and Armenia are not secure destinations and European countries remain difficult to access without the necessary documents.
Deserters like Andrei Yuseinov have managed to escape to countries like Georgia, where they face uncertainty due to the country’s pro-Russian drift. Despite obstacles, some Russians have found refuge in France, where the National Court of Asylum has granted refugee status to those fleeing mobilization for the war in Ukraine. However, obtaining refugee status or visas is difficult for many Russians, and activists are urging European governments to do more to assist army deserters and resistors.
Refuseniks who have obtained asylum in France, such as Vladimir, Dmitry, Oleg, and Alexander, share their stories of fleeing Russia to avoid being drafted and taking up arms in the war. These individuals, including deserters and draft dodgers, have been harassed and faced threats due to their anti-war stance in their home country. Despite leaving behind their lives and comfortable circumstances, they do not regret their decision to flee, seeking safety and a chance to live without participating in a war they do not support.
Activists call for Western countries to support Russian deserters as a way to weaken the Russian army and show solidarity with Ukraine. The number of desertion cases and charges have increased dramatically since the start of the mobilization in 2022, indicating a growing trend of resistance within the Russian military. However, many deserters are stigmatized for their service in the army and face difficulties in obtaining asylum in the West. Advocates stress the importance of offering support and assistance to Russian deserters to help them find safety and build new lives away from the war.
