Asylum and Support
Six Russian soldiers, having fled the conflict, arrived in via , aiming for asylum. They received support from rights groups, marking a significant EU acceptance of Russian deserters.
France's unprecedented move, praised by activists, comes after extensive discussions, with all deserters vetted and additional ones in contact from Kazakhstan.
Personal Stories and Challenges
The deserters, including one who participated in the invasion, shared their experiences and hopes to inspire others to leave the Russian military. They face logistical and safety challenges in seeking refuge.
Andrew Amonov, one of the deserters, spent two years in fear in Kazakhstan before reaching France, highlighting the risks deserters face in ex-Soviet countries.