Thousands of Russian soldiers have deserted since the beginning of the war against Ukraine. By doing so, they put not only their own lives at risk, but also the lives of their loved ones. Here we meet a Russian officer disillusioned with the army.
"First was the feeling of freedom, of security. I felt a huge relief, I took a breather," says Alexander, who deserted from the Russian army. This was one of the most difficult decisions in his life, he admits to DV. Now the young man is starting a new life in France.
"Better than kill or be killed"
"A criminal case has been opened against me, my home was searched, my mother was questioned. I probably won't be able to return to Russia soon. But this is better than killing or being killed", he is convinced.
Alexander was a liaison officer in the Russian army and did not directly participate in combat. Already in 2021 he was already very disillusioned with the army and even tried to leave it several times. In February 2022 was sent to a final military exercise. "On February 4, we arrived in Crimea for an exercise. On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine, and my brigade participated," the young man recalls.
Six months later, he managed to leave the front and escape - first to Kazakhstan, without personal documents. His wife Irina is with him. "It was scary when we started. You run, knowing that your future is uncertain and that you will be wanted. However, I didn't hesitate at all to follow him - I just couldn't leave him alone," says the woman.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, more than 3,000 soldiers have left the Russian army, according to the group "Capture the Forest", which helps defectors flee the country. Many of them reached Kazakhstan, where they live in constant fear of persecution.
Determined to oppose Russia's war against Ukraine, Alexander created the "Farewell to Arms" project together with other defectors. Their aim is to encourage other Russian soldiers to refuse to fight. Meanwhile, they managed to convince the French authorities to allow six defectors into the country. Several human rights organizations worked hard for this all year long.
"Our goal is for more and more soldiers to lay down their arms"
Each individual case has been extensively researched by activists such as Olga Prokopieva of the French NGO Free Russia. She told DV: "We made sure that these people did not kill and that we can responsibly guarantee it to the authorities. We are convinced that this weakens the Russian army. Our goal is for more and more people in Russia to lay down their arms, leave the army and the territory of Ukraine.
Alexander and his wife Irina want to work from France to help other deserters who are still in hiding. "I hope this precedent will open the doors wide for other deserters,", says the young man.
Now the two are used to sleeping at night and making plans for the future during the day. Alexander does not rule out one day going even further - perhaps across the ocean. But for now he remains in France.