On October 4, Russian contract soldiers were seen training in southern Russia, according to a report by a European news agency. In a significant development, six Russian deserters have applied for asylum in France and successfully received temporary visas. This group includes soldiers who fought in the Russia-Ukraine war, along with conscripts and officers. Human rights activists have noted that this marks a major milestone, as it is the first instance of Russian deserters being granted entry into an EU country.
According to reports from human rights advocates and organizations that assist soldiers in their escape, tens of thousands of Russian troops have fled or refused to obey combat orders since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The organization Go By The Forest, which has been aiding these deserters, revealed that many escaped to Kazakhstan in 2022 and 2023 before flying to Paris in recent months.
Ivan Chuviliaev, a spokesperson for Go By The Forest, stated, “This is the first time an EU country has allowed a group of deserters without any travel documents or passports to enter.” He added that France’s willingness to accept these deserters could set a precedent, sending a strong message to other Western nations that might accelerate similar actions and encourage more Russian soldiers to leave the military.
However, Western nations remain conflicted about how to approach the acceptance of Russian deserters, debating whether to view them as heroes, potential security threats, or war criminals. While the EU and its member states have openly discussed providing asylum for Russian troops, no concrete decisions have been made, making it challenging for deserters to secure refuge.
Most Russian servicemen tend to flee to countries like Armenia and Kazakhstan, where they can enter without passports. Yet, they often find themselves trapped, uncertain of their next destination.
Independent Russian website Mediazone reports that the Kremlin has initiated at least 7,400 lawsuits against deserters in the past two years, accusing them of unauthorized absence. Given that authorities have systematically attempted to obfuscate military-related information, the actual number of deserters may be even higher.
Furthermore, Russia is actively pursuing those who have sought refuge abroad, pressuring neighboring countries to extradite them.
