Russian soldier Seeks Asylum in Norway,Citing Opposition to Ukraine War
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A Russian soldier has been detained by Norwegian police after crossing the border from Russia,requesting asylum and stating his unwillingness to continue participating in the conflict in Ukraine. This incident marks at least the fifth reported case of a Russian citizen seeking refuge in Norway since 2023.
Details of the Arrest and Asylum Request
Norwegian police are currently verifying the information provided by the man, who was apprehended near the village of Grense Jakobselv, northeast of Kirkenes, on Friday. He was held in police custody over the weekend for questioning.
Trond Biti, the man’s lawyer, informed Dagbladet that his client will likely follow the standard procedure for asylum applications. Police have confirmed the individual formally requested asylum, and the case will be referred from the Finmark Police County to the State Police Division for immigration and asylum processing.
Border Security and the Soldier‘s Account
The Norwegian-Russian border is under constant military patrol. Border guards alerted police on Friday morning to an illegal crossing. Unmanned aircraft were deployed in the search, ultimately leading to the man’s detention.
According to VG, the man was stationed in Ukraine and made a conscious decision to desert, refusing to participate further in the hostilities. Biti described his client as a “conscious protester” against the war. The soldier reportedly did not resist arrest but declined to elaborate on his motivations for crossing the border.
Intelligence Agency Involvement and Previous Incidents
The incident has been reported to the norwegian State Police Intelligence Agency (PST), which characterized it as a routine matter. While acknowledging the possibility of espionage, the PST has declined to comment further.
This is not an isolated event. In January 2023, a man claiming affiliation with the wagner mercenary group crossed the border in the Pasviko Valley. Three more individuals crossed at Pasvikas later that year, and another Russian citizen sought refuge in Grense Jakobselv in the autumn of 2023. These repeated attempts highlight a growing trend of Russians seeking asylum in Norway, perhaps driven by opposition to the war in Ukraine and concerns about political repression within Russia.