Support The Moscow Times!

Five Russians Fleeing War Stranded in Seoul's Incheon Airport – Report

Seoul's Incheon International Airport. Lee Jin-man / AP / TASS

Five Russian nationals who all separately fled Russia’s autumn mobilization drive hoping to find a safe haven in South Korea have been stuck in limbo at Seoul’s international airport for as long as two months, The Korea Times daily reported Monday. 

All five men reportedly claimed asylum upon arrival at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport only to have their applications rejected as fleeing the military draft is not considered grounds for refugee status in South Korea. They have been living in the airport’s transit area ever since.

One of the men, Vladimir Maraktaev, told the newspaper "I will never take weapons to go and kill innocent people in Ukraine."

All five men reportedly received their call-up papers shortly before deciding to flee the country to avoid fighting in Ukraine.

The five men have now filed a joint appeal against the Justice Ministry’s decision and a court is due to rule on the case at the end of January, according to the lawyer overseeing their case.

The five men, some of whom have been in the transit area for months, currently live on three simple meals delivered to them by the South Korean authorities each day, The Korea Times reported.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more