A man who deserted the Russian army and made his way to the UK on a small boat has told his story for the first time. Alisher Hassanov, not his real name, moved toRussiain 2020 from his nativeTajikistan.
After working in various jobs he was arrested in 2024 and told that his visa had expired. Whilst in custody, Hassanov was given an ultimatum: Serve in theRussian armyor be sent toprison. He toldthe Times: They said: ‘Sign a contract for one year’, ‘Everything will be fine.’ ‘If you don’t sign, we’ll make it so you’re sent to prison, and from there they won’t even ask you. They’ll just send you straight to the front.’”
READ MORE:Crisis in Russia as students pushed to go to war
READ MORE:Donald Trump's biggest world stage blunders from confusing countries to cities
Hassanov details the grim reality on the frontlines ofPutin’s war, with little care given to the lives of foot soldiers used as cannon fodder for incremental gains.
After several months of combat in high-intensity operations, Hassanov was injured and sent to the rear to be treated for his injuries.
Following his discharge from hospital, Hassanov was able to return home to Tajikstan to see his parents but feared that his Russian passport, something he says he was forced to accept, would put him at risk of being detained and returned back to the Russian military.
He decided therefore to fly to Turkey with the intention of heading west to safety.
Funded by his service in the Russian army, Hassanov paid £3,500 to a middleman to be smuggled toGermanyalongside Afghan migrants.
After being rejected for asylum in the country following the German governmentimplementation of strict immigration measures, he was left unable to apply for asylum in another EU country, leaving the UK as his favoured destination.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
