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In the autumn of 2026, Georgy Avaliani, a 47-year-old father of three, found himself caught in a harrowing situation as he was summoned into the Russian military. Living in Lyubertsy, a suburb of Moscow, Georgy had a stable life with his family, working as an engineer at a prominent water company. Yet, the sudden announcement of a military mobilization by President Vladimir Putin changed everything.
Despite having previously been exempt from service due to medical issues, George received a draft notice that he could not ignore. His children were still minors, which should have legally protected him from conscription, but the bureaucratic system failed him. After an appeal to dismiss the summons was denied, he reported to a draft board, only to be swiftly dispatched for basic military training.
From conscript to fugitive
Georgy was soon deployed to an occupied sector in Ukraine’s Luhansk region, perilously close to the front lines. Realizing the dire circumstances, he made a desperate escape just days after his deployment. Alongside four other soldiers, he shared a taxi to the border and then attempted to cross into Russia on foot, a move that ultimately led to his capture in a deserted village.
His capture resulted in a nightmare scenario; Georgy endured ten days in a military prison, where he faced brutal treatment, including mock executions. This notorious facility, known for its harsh conditions, was a common fate for those attempting to resist military orders. After his release, he was sent back to the front lines, only to suffer an injury that would change his path once again.
Attempts to escape
After sustaining a concussion and a heart attack from an explosion, Georgy sought refuge at his family’s dacha rather than return to the military. Yet, the military police were relentless, apprehending him near his home just months later. Despite presenting a case for discharge due to his health issues, he was deemed fit for service and soon learned of a criminal case against him for abandoning his unit.
Faced with the prospect of imprisonment, Georgy decided to flee Russia. His journey took him to St. Petersburg to collect his international passport before heading to Belarus and then through Uzbekistan and Georgia, ultimately reaching Montenegro. Meanwhile, his wife, Oksana, faced intimidation from military investigators, leading to a severe mental health crisis.
Seeking asylum in Germany
After reuniting in Bosnia, the Avaliani family entered the European Union via Croatia and arrived in Germany by late January. By this time, Georgy was already a wanted man in Russia, facing severe penalties for his actions. The family found temporary shelter at a former airport in Berlin, which had been converted into a refugee center.
With the support of activists, they managed to submit their application for political asylum to Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). However, their hopes were dashed in January 2026 when they received a rejection. The authorities concluded that the family posed no significant risk of persecution upon returning to Russia, despite the mounting evidence of Georgy’s troubles.
Misunderstanding the plight of deserters
The BAMF’s decision was based on a misinterpretation that conflated deserters like Georgy with those merely avoiding conscription. They dismissed the seriousness of the consequences he could face, believing that the Russian government’s claim of completed mobilization meant there was no longer a threat to him. This erroneous reasoning could lead to deportation, putting the family at further risk.
Documents reviewed by the independent outlet Mediazona revealed a worrying trend of similar rejections for other Russian deserters. Authorities appeared to rely on generic templates for asylum decisions, failing to recognize the unique dangers faced by individuals like Georgy, who have actively opposed military service.
The ongoing struggle for safety
As Georgy considers his options for appealing the BAMF’s decision, he is resolute in his stance. He left Russia not for a better lifestyle but to escape the threat of imprisonment and persecution. His family’s situation highlights the desperate measures many Russians have taken to avoid military service amidst an oppressive regime. “I had only one reason for leaving: persecution,” Georgy lamented, underscoring the gravity of their plight.
In a landscape where many Russians flee to escape similar circumstances, the Avaliani family’s story serves as a potent reminder of the human cost of war and authoritarian governance. As they navigate the complexities of asylum processes, their experiences shed light on the struggles faced by countless individuals seeking refuge from political repression.