Russian refused to fight in Ukraine and fled through Croatia: now he fears he will be returned to Putin's hands

A Russian deserter who fled Croatia after evading military service in Ukraine has expressed fear of being returned to Russia, where he could face execution or imprisonment. The man, identified as Nikita Zvezdov, left his home country under duress after refusing to participate in the war against Ukraine and escaping through Croatia. Now living in Germany, he faces potential deportation back to Russia, despite having sought asylum in both Croatia and Germany. Zvezdov was conscripted into the Russian army shortly after turning 18 in May 2024. Before his call-up, he had been expelled from a vocational school in Krasnoyarsk, which he believes was orchestrated to prevent him from passing exams and thus avoid military service. He claims that many students and trainees have faced similar treatment, with authorities allegedly using academic pressure as a tool for forced conscription. His conscription notice arrived directly at his apartment, and he was sent to a military unit near Usuryisk, known for its harsh conditions and reports of abuse among recruits. Upon arrival at the unit, Zvezdov described a brutal training regimen, including excessive physical punishment and threats of violence. He claimed that officers pressured him and other conscripts to sign contracts committing them to military service, despite their reluctance. After attempting suicide due to the unbearable conditions, Zvezdov was coerced into signing the contract by a senior officer, who threatened him with legal repercussions if he refused. Following his induction, Zvezdov was assigned to combat units in occupied parts of Ukraine near Melitopol, where casualties are extremely high. Fearing for his life, he fled the military base, using the first pay he received, approximately €450—to secure a leave of absence, which he used to escape to Armenia. From there, he traveled through Bosnia and Herzegovina before arriving in Croatia, where he applied for political asylum. However, Croatian authorities have yet to make a decision on his request, and he moved on to Germany, where he submitted another asylum application. Germany rejected his request for asylum, citing the Dublin Regulation, which requires him to return to Croatia, the first EU member state he entered. German authorities are required to transfer him to Croatia within six months, a deadline set to expire by late July. If Croatia does not grant him asylum, responsibility for his case will fall to Germany. According to human rights activists, Russian deserters seeking asylum in Germany face slim chances of success. While some politicians from previous administrations suggested that refusal to serve in the war and desertion might qualify as grounds for political asylum, these statements have not been codified into law. Aleksey Kozlov, an activist with the Berlin-based organization Solidarus, noted that under German law, mere avoidance of military service or being sent to the front lines is not sufficient justification for granting asylum. Only individuals who can prove they were sent to fight in the war against Ukraine for political reasons would be eligible for asylum, according to Kozlov. Zvezdov’s story highlights the growing number of Russian soldiers fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, often under dire circumstances. Many have recounted experiences of coercion, abuse, and psychological trauma while serving in the Russian military. Some have managed to escape to neighboring countries, but few find refuge due to strict immigration policies and the lack of clear legal pathways for asylum seekers. The situation underscores the challenges faced by those trying to flee the war, particularly given the geopolitical tensions surrounding Russia's involvement in Ukraine. As Zvezdov awaits a decision on his asylum status, he fears being forcibly repatriated to Russia, where he could face severe consequences, including execution or long-term imprisonment. His case reflects the broader plight of Russian deserters navigating a complex and uncertain international landscape.