asylum claimsRussian desertersnational securityRussian soldiers deserting the war in Ukraine face challenges and limited asylum options abroad, living in precarious conditions while seeking safety.
Russian soldiers who deserted the war in Ukraine and sought asylum in countries like Kazakhstan find themselves in legal limbo, with surging asylum claims in the West but few granted protection. Policymakers are divided over viewing these deserters as assets or security risks, while the soldiers grapple with survival in hiding and uncertain futures.