France has made headlines as the first European Union nation to offer refuge to former Russian soldiers who oppose the war in Ukraine — even accepting those without passports.
No Other Choice
This decision marks a significant shift, as French officials clarify their stance: “Deserters are not traitors, and desertion is not a crime.”
For a small but growing group of Russian deserters, this policy represents a vital path to safety.
Among the recent arrivals is Alexander, one of six former Russian soldiers who escaped first to Kazakhstan before reaching France, according to Digi24.
He shares his story, recounting that he had been deployed under the impression he was participating in a routine military exercise.
“There was no order to attack Ukraine, no instructions. We just crossed the border into Ukraine and only then realized what was happening. I was shocked and couldn’t understand why we were in Ukraine,” he recalls.
Faced with a sudden awareness of the conflict, Alexander felt trapped, knowing he couldn’t legally or safely abandon his post.
“Either my comrades would shoot me, or I’d be arrested at the border,” he explains. “I needed a legal way to get back to Russia.”
250,000 Russians Fled
After narrowly returning to Russia, Alexander formally requested to leave the military.
When mobilization orders intensified in September 2022, he realized his options were limited to imprisonment, deployment to the frontlines, or fleeing the country.
“That’s when I knew that either I end up in prison, on the front, or I have to escape from Russia,” he says.
The journey from Russia to France is fraught with challenges. In Kazakhstan, the first stop for many deserters, stringent vetting processes are in place to address security concerns.
As Alexander notes, “I understand the Western countries’ worries, their hesitation to issue travel documents to deserters, because among them could be agents from the Russian secret service, the FSB, or war criminals.”
After passing these checks, the men are monitored as they proceed to France, which offers a rare safe haven within EU borders.
Since the war began in February 2022, at least 250,000 Russians eligible for military service have fled, many finding temporary refuge in countries like Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, and Turkey.
