State officials said in a statement yesterday that two Russian citizens who fled their military service in their homeland took refuge in the United States after arriving in Alaska by boat.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced last month a partial military deployment for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Tens of thousands of men fled abroad to avoid conscription.
The office of Senator Lisa Murkowski, who represents Alaska, said the two Russians allegedly sought asylum to avoid mandatory military service. They were found near an Alaskan town about 40 miles off the Russian coast.
Putin’s mobilization has proven to be one of Moscow’s most unpopular moves, sparking protests in cities and regions across the country. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, began to unravel after a Ukrainian counteroffensive recaptured thousands of square kilometers last month.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy said the two men had arrived on a boat from Russia and were being questioned.
“We don’t expect a steady stream of individuals or a fleet of individuals. We have no indication that this will happen, so this could be unique,” Dunleavy said in a statement. Said.
A spokesman for the mission said the Russian embassy in Washington was aware of the case and plans to hold a phone call with the two citizens soon, according to the Tass news agency.
source: Noticias
