Deported Russians Face Peril Upon Return Amidst Shifting Western Asylum Policies

Russian security services have been present at airports to meet flights carrying deported Russian citizens, including individuals denied political asylum in the United States and European countries. These deportees report facing intense interrogation, pressure to enlist in the military for the conflict in Ukraine, and the threat of imprisonment upon their return.

One deportee, identified only as Katya, described her experience after being returned to Moscow in December. She had fled Russia two years prior, participating in anti-war protests and joining opposition movements, which she believed formed the basis of her asylum claim. Upon landing, FSB officers reportedly handed all male deportees military papers, requiring them to register with local enlistment offices. Katya stated that her phone was examined, and incriminating information led to heightened scrutiny from officers. While eventually released, she reported ongoing police surveillance and a pervasive sense of fear.

Reports indicate a significant increase in deportations of Russian nationals from the U.S. and Europe. In the U.S., removals rose from 222 in 2023 to over 1,200 in 2025. Activists claim these deportations include dissidents and Russian army deserters, some of whom have subsequently been imprisoned or sent to the front lines in Ukraine. Leonid Melekhin, an anti-war activist who had posted critical messages about President Vladimir Putin, was reportedly sentenced to six years in prison for "justifying terrorism" after being deported from the U.S. last year.

Similar trends are observed in Europe. Germany, for instance, saw its deportations of Russian nationals surge from seven in 2023 to over 110 in 2025. The proportion of successful asylum applications for Russians in Germany has also declined sharply, falling from 29% in 2023 to 6.8% in the first eleven months of 2025. Across the European Union, the rate of asylum protection granted to Russian applicants dropped from 23% in 2024 to approximately 17% in the first nine months of 2025.

Legal experts and rights groups suggest that Russian opposition activists seeking refuge have become ensnared in broader immigration crackdowns. Governments in the U.S. and Europe are reportedly toughening asylum rules in response to public concerns over migration levels, security, and the rise of right-wing populist parties. Anastasia Burakova, founder of the rights group Kovcheg, stated that Western governments are prioritizing the limitation of humanitarian programs and asylum seekers.

Deportees often report that immigration officials lack a full understanding of the risks they face in Russia. One former soldier, Artyom, who deserted the Russian Army in 2022, claimed he provided U.S. authorities with evidence of a criminal investigation against him for desertion. Nevertheless, he was deported to Moscow via Egypt, experiencing what he described as preparation for death before managing to escape and go into hiding abroad. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that all individuals receive due process and that those found to have no legal right to remain are removed.

The clampdown on asylum comes as repression within Russia intensifies. The number of political prisoners in Russia has reportedly increased significantly. Mikhail and his wife Dasha are awaiting potential deportation from Finland, fearing prosecution and imprisonment due to Mikhail's anti-war posts and Dasha's Jehovah's Witness faith, a banned organization in Russia. Despite providing evidence of potential persecution, their asylum requests have been repeatedly rejected by Finnish authorities.

With unconfirmed reports of potential new mobilization waves in Russia, the number of Russians seeking to leave the country has reportedly increased. This raises the question of whether Western nations will offer them refuge or continue to deport them.