In a significant move for Russian deserters, France has granted temporary visas to six soldiers who fled the war in Ukraine, making them one of the first groups of deserters to be accepted by an EU country. Human rights groups supporting the men describe this as a landmark case, potentially setting a precedent for other European nations to offer sanctuary to soldiers who refuse to fight in Russia’s war.
The six men, who arrived in Paris separately over recent months, initially escaped from Russia to Kazakhstan in 2022 and 2023. Speaking about his experience, Alexander, a former Russian soldier who deserted during the summer of 2023, said, “When I landed in France, it was the first time I could breathe fully. I felt a sense of calmness and freedom … the worst was behind me.” His story echoes the plight of tens of thousands of Russian soldiers who have reportedly refused orders to fight since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began.
The West has faced a moral dilemma over accepting Russian deserters, with concerns about whether to regard them as potential heroes opposing the war, security risks, or war criminals. Although the EU has debated providing asylum for these individuals, no unified policy has emerged, making it difficult for deserters to find refuge. This case marks the first time a group of Russian soldiers, lacking passports or other travel documents, has been admitted to an EU country.
Ivan Chuviliaev, spokesperson for “Go By The Forest,” an organization that assists Russian soldiers in deserting, worked closely on the case involving the six men. Chuviliaev said that the soldiers underwent a rigorous vetting process to confirm their “strong, consistent anti-war stance” before being granted entry to France. “We understand that there are fears in the West that some might not be who they say they are,” he added.
Unable to travel to Europe directly due to a lack of documents, many deserters had fled to nearby countries like Armenia and Kazakhstan, where they could enter without a passport. However, these nations often became a dead end, as soldiers faced the constant threat of being tracked down and deported by Russian authorities. There have been increasing reports of kidnappings and forced repatriations of deserters from these regions.
The Kremlin has intensified efforts to combat desertion as it grapples with a persistent need for manpower in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin has introduced stringent laws, including prison sentences of up to 15 years and the confiscation of property for deserters. Reports have also emerged about the use of informal detention centers, known as “holes and pits,” where soldiers are held for days against their will for refusing to fight.
According to the independent news outlet Mediazone, Russian authorities have initiated at least 7,400 legal cases over the past two years against soldiers accused of abandoning their posts. The real figures are believed to be much higher, given the Kremlin’s systematic suppression of information related to the military.
Deserters who seek refuge abroad also face dangers. Russia has reportedly pursued deserters hiding in countries within its geopolitical influence, pressuring governments to hand them over. In one high-profile case, a Russian intelligence officer named Mikhail Zhilin was deported from Kazakhstan in December 2022 and subsequently sentenced to six and a half years in prison. In another chilling incident, Maksim Kuzminov, a Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine, was shot dead in Spain in February, an act widely attributed to Russia’s intelligence services.
France’s decision to grant asylum to the six deserters has sparked hope among anti-war advocates who see it as a possible turning point. Chuviliaev’s organization, which has assisted over 2,000 soldiers in fleeing, is optimistic that France’s move will encourage other Western countries to follow suit. “We hope this marks the beginning of more deserters being let into Europe,” Chuviliaev said.
The six men granted visas include former soldiers who fought in Ukraine, as well as conscripts and officers who avoided deployment. Their arrival in France could inspire other Russian soldiers contemplating desertion, providing a glimpse of life in a free country as an alternative to imprisonment or living in fear in nations bordering Russia.
Alexander, who now hopes to help more former soldiers escape, knows firsthand the dangers they face. “I know what those guys are going through,” he said. “We can’t let them down.”
As Russia continues to crack down on dissent and desertion, the case of these six men could become a pivotal moment in the debate over how to treat those who refuse to fight in a controversial war. France’s bold step may just be the beginning of a broader shift in asylum policies across Europe, providing a lifeline to those willing to risk everything for a chance at freedom.
