A raft with two Russian citizens interrupted the tranquility of the island of San Lorenzo, in Alaska. After cross the Bering Sea, docked on US soil e they asked for asylum to the government of Joe Biden, to avoid the partial mobilization ordered by Vladimir Putin in a desperate attempt to stop the withdrawal from the war in Ukraine.
“A small boat occupied by two Russian citizens came ashore in rural Alaska on Tuesday,” the US Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
The ship docked at San Lorenzo Island, which houses 1,300 inhabitants in its 4,600 square kilometers in the middle of the Bering Sea. The landing point is about 80 kilometers from Russiain a critical area for the low temperatures and that it is in the last few months that the ice that characterizes the harsh northern winter arrives.
The authorities did not disclose the identity of the citizens or travel details. According to immigration authorities, both people were brought to Anchoragestate capital, “for inspection and to be tried in accordance with US immigration laws.”
Individuals “are in federal custodyJeff Turner, spokesman for Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, told AFP.
“We are in contact with federal officials and Gambell residents to determine who these people are,” Senator Lisa Murkowski added in a statement.
The Russian-Ukrainian war and security in the Arctic
The situation discovered two US concerns. One on a global scale, the future of the Russia-Ukraine war and the strained relations with Vladimir Putin’s regime. The other, locally: security in the Arctic.
“His arrival took us by surprise,” admitted Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy. “We don’t expect a continuous flow. There are no indications about it and this could be a one-time event, “he added. Senator Dan Sullivan, on the other hand, does not rule out new arrivals.
The arrival came after Putin ordered a partial mobilization in mid-September to bolster his troops in Ukraine, trying to stop the retreat of his military forces.
the order of recruit about 300,000 soldiers generated a massive flight of Russians from their own country: in the following days there was an avalanche of visits to airline websites and it is estimated that more than 700,000 people fled to avoid military service.
The surprise landing also highlighted security concerns in the Arctic.
Federal authorities “should have a ready plan in case other Russians decide to cross the Bering Strait and reach Alaska, “asked Senator Sullivan, attentive to winter frosts.
The incident “clearly shows two things: the first is that heThe Russians don’t want to fight Putin’s war against Ukraine. The second is that, given its proximity to Russia, Alaska plays a crucial role in US national security, “Sullivan summed up.
He was joined by Senator Lisa Murkowski, according to whom the incident highlights the “need for greater security in the American Arctic.”
This Thursday, US President Joe Biden did not rule out meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, during next month’s G20 summit in Asia. “It remains to be seen,” the president said when asked whether he will take advantage of it the meeting in Bali, Indonesiato speak directly with the leader of Russia.
With information from AFP and ANSA
DS
Source: Clarin
