Fear of deportation: Russian deserters in Germany

Nikita Swesdow, a 19-year-old Russian national who fled his country after being conscripted into the military, has been denied asylum in Germany and was recently repatriated under the Dublin Regulation to Croatia. The case highlights the precarious situation faced by Russian deserters seeking refuge in Europe. According to reports, Swesdow’s journey began in early 2022, shortly after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. At the time, he was just 15 years old and attending vocational school in Krasnoyarsk. He claims he was deliberately failed by his institution, which allegedly hindered his academic progress to facilitate his recruitment into the armed forces. This practice, according to media reports, has become more common in recent years, with students and academics reportedly being obstructed in their studies to make them available for conscription. In May 2024, Swesdow received his draft notice directly at home. He was sent to Military Unit Number 25573 near Ussuriysk, a unit described in online forums as one of the most notorious and criminal in Russia due to frequent casualties among soldiers. There, he and other conscripts were pressured by officers to sign long-term contracts. Swesdow stated he promised himself and his family he would not sign such a contract. Despite this, he was forced to participate in grueling training exercises, including 200 push-ups while wearing a gas mask and running 50 laps in body armor weighing up to 30 kilograms. Some soldiers were shot in the legs during these drills. Swesdow recounted that he even attempted suicide but was prevented by some officers. An officer later threatened legal action to force him to sign a contract. Swesdow's experience is not unique. Due to personnel shortages, many conscripts are coerced into signing enlistment agreements. Several mothers of soldiers have told the independent Russian internet portal ASTRA that their sons were misled, harassed, and pressured into signing contracts, leading them to fight in the war against Ukraine. After signing a contract, Swesdow was informed he would be deployed to stormtrooper units in the occupied Ukrainian territory around Melitopol, where units suffer high casualty rates. Fearing for his life, he decided to flee. After receiving his first salary of 40,000 rubles (approximately 450 euros), Swesdow applied for leave, claiming he needed to prepare for frontline duty. A former incarcerated individual was assigned to monitor him, requiring him to check in via WhatsApp every few hours. However, his supervisor did not enforce the rules strictly. Swesdow discarded his uniform, packed his belongings, and fled to Armenia. Six months later, he was declared missing and placed on a wanted list. He eventually moved to Bosnia and Herzegovina and then to Croatia, where he applied for political asylum. Without waiting for a decision, he traveled to Germany in December 2025 and submitted another asylum request. Germany rejected his application and referred him back to Croatia under the Dublin Regulation, as Croatia was the first EU country he entered. Under the Dublin Regulation, German authorities should transfer him to Croatia within six months. That period ended in July. If the deadline passes, responsibility for his case will revert to Germany. Human rights activists say that Russian deserters in Germany face virtually no chance of obtaining asylum. The case of Nikita Swesdow underscores the challenges faced by individuals fleeing conflict zones, particularly when they seek refuge in countries with strict immigration policies. His story continues as he awaits further developments in his legal status.