This late 2023 photo shows downtown Astana, Kazakhstan, where some Russian soldiers who deserted the war in Ukraine live in hiding while they apply for asylum. Overall asylum claims from Russian citizens to the U.S., France and Germany have surged since Russia's full-scale invasion, but few are winning protection. Policymakers remain divided over whether to consider Russians in exile as potential assets or risks to national security. (AP Photo)
Farhad Ziganshin, a Russian officer who deserted in 2022, speaks during an interview in Astana, Kazakhstan, in late 2023. He was detained for three days by Kazakh authorities when he tried to board a flight to Armenia. "It's not safe to stay in Kazakhstan," he said. (AP Photo)
Farhad Ziganshin, a Russian officer who deserted in 2022, stands at the door of his shared room in a temporary apartment in Astana, Kazakhstan, in late 2023. "Here I am living sleeping on coats, eating I don't know what. And without any money in my pocket. It's very depressing," he said. (AP Photo)
A Russian officer who goes by Yevgeny speaks during an interview at his apartment in Astana, Kazakhstan, in late 2023. He had a friend shoot him in the leg so he could get out off the frontline in Ukraine. "Many of my friends have died. And these were really good guys who didn't want to fight," he said. "But there was no way out for them." (AP Photo)
Farhad Ziganshin, a Russian officer who deserted in 2022, pauses during an interview in Astana, Kazakhstan, in late 2023. He was detained for three days by Kazakh authorities when he tried to board a flight to Armenia. "It's not safe to stay in Kazakhstan," he said. (AP Photo)
A Russian officer who goes by the nickname Sportsmaster speaks with reporters at his apartment in Astana, Kazakhstan, in late 2023. He faces criminal charges in Russia for refusing to go to war in Ukraine. "I immediately decided that I would not support it in any way, not even lift my little finger to support what had begun," he said. "I understood that this was a point of no return that would change the lives of the entire country, including mine." (AP Photo)
Farhad Ziganshin, a Russian officer who deserted in 2022, takes a walk after work in Astana, Kazakhstan, in late 2023. He dreams of starting a family but can't afford to take a woman out to the movies. "I can't fall in love with someone and have someone fall in love with me," he said. "So I just walk around and sing songs." (AP Photo)
A Russian officer who goes by Yevgeny speaks during an interview at his apartment in Astana, Kazakhstan, in late 2023. He had a friend shoot him in the leg so he could get off the frontline in Ukraine. "There is no mechanism for Russians who do not want to fight, deserters, to get to a safe place," he said. (AP Photo)
Farhad Ziganshin, a Russian officer who deserted in 2022, sits at a table after lunch at his temporary apartment in Astana, Kazakhstan, in late 2023. "I realized that I didn't want to serve in this kind of Russian army that destroys cities, kills civilians, and forcibly appropriates foreign land and territory," he said. (AP Photo)
A Russian officer who goes by the nickname Sportsmaster speaks during an interview at his apartment in Astana, Kazakhstan, in late 2023. He faces criminal charges in Russia for refusing to go to war in Ukraine. "I immediately decided that I would not support it in any way, not even lift my little finger to support what had begun," he said. "I understood that this was a point of no return that would change the lives of the entire country, including mine." (AP Photo)
A Russian soldier who goes by the nickname Sparrow speaks with reporters at his apartment in Astana, Kazakhstan, in late 2023. After being forcibly conscripted, he ran away from his barracks because he didn't want to kill anyone. Now he faces criminal charges in Russia. "I did the right thing," he said. "I'd rather sit here and suffer and look for something than go there and kill a human being because of some unclear war, which is 100 percent Russia's fault." (AP Photo)
A Russian soldier who goes by the nickname Sparrow sits at his kitchen table in his apartment in Astana, Kazakhstan, in late 2023. After being forcibly conscripted, he ran away from his barracks because he didn't want to kill anyone. "I don't want anything in life. I have no interest in my own affairs," he said. "I just sit all day on the Internet, on YouTube, and read news, news, news of what's going on in Ukraine, and that's it." (AP Photo)
A Russian soldier in Astana, Kazakhstan who goes by the nickname Sparrow sketches the route he took to escape his military barracks in Russia in 2022, at his apartment in Astana, Kazakhstan, in late 2023. After being forcibly conscripted, he deserted because he didn't want to kill anyone. "I did the right thing," he said. "I'd rather sit here and suffer and look for something than go there and kill a human being because of some unclear war, which is 100 percent Russia's fault." (AP Photo)
A Russian soldier who goes by the nickname Sparrow prepares tea at his apartment in Astana, Kazakhstan, in late 2023. After being forcibly conscripted, he ran away from his barracks because he didn't want to kill anyone. Now he faces criminal charges in Russia. "I don't want anything in life. I have no interest in my own affairs," he said. "I just sit all day on the Internet, on YouTube, and read news, news, news of what's going on in Ukraine, and that's it." (AP Photo)